There are indeed numerous reasons to withhold support for the so-called “March for Life.” I wish here to highlight three of the reasons that I have serious reservations about the annual ‘pilgrimage’ to Washington, DC, that draws thousands of well-meaning people, the young and the old alike.
After assessing the pilgrimage of Francis from playboy to servant of God, Horan points out that one of the blockages to our intimate relationship with others is our obsession with the technological toys which divert us from genuine interaction with those we are with in the flesh.
Using insights from John Duns Scotus, Thomas Merton, Francis, and Clare, he examines the good things that can happen when we tap into our True Self.
Among the various reasons one might chose to omit him or herself from participation, I wish to highlight three: (a) the event’s moniker is incomplete at best and disingenuous at worst, (b) the mode of protest has proven ineffective, and, following the second point, (c) the ‘march’ and its related events is a self-serving exercise in self-righteousness, self-congratulatory grandstanding and disinterest in the most pressing matters of human rights and dignity in our world today.
Horan, OFM is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province and a Roman Catholic priest, a Ph. student in systematic theology at Boston College, and the author of several publications including the recent books: Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St.
Francis of Assisi and Clare whose spiritual paths consisted in loving God.
The author is convinced that the heart of gospel life is relationship.
Horan is a Franciscan friar who serves on the board of directors of the International Thomas Merton Society and has published dozens of articles.
Horan has created a "Dating God" blog, and he speaks to young adult audiences throughout the United States.
Drawing from the Franciscan tradition, Dating God encourages us to see St.