# MARCH FOR LIFE IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/05/march-for-life-in-the-nations-capital/
- Published: 2026-05-21T19:52:55-07:00
- Author: Website

On [**Ascension**](https://sspp.ca/our-faith/liturgical-year/movable-feasts/the-ascension-of-our-lord/)
Thursday, 14 May 2026, Canada’s annual witness to the sacredness of life took place
in many cities throughout the country, with the major ‘[**National March for Life**](https://marchforlife.ca/)’
taking place in the nation’s capital - Ottawa at Canada’s House of Commons and through
the city centre streets. The event occurred on the anniversary and on the site of
when the House of Commons passed a bill that decriminalized abortion in 1969, which
led eventually to abortion with no restrictions as is the case today. The march,
however, encompasses all life issues, Besides the 4.5 million unborn babies that
never saw the light of day since 1969, focus has widened to include the now heavily
promoted euthanasia (“medical assistance in dying”) which has resulted in well over
100,000 deaths of the elderly and infirm since 2016. Other life-associated issues
such as contraception and lifestyles were raised by some of the speakers.

In spite of the heartbreaking and gloomy subject matter, the massive rally was upbeat,
bold and often joyful. The encouragement of being in a crowd of thousands from all
across the country and filled with a firm hope that the laws and attitude in Canada
would change one day – God willing, sooner than later – led to the positive spirit.
Speaker after speaker emphasized the tragedies that are resulting from the “[**culture of death**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3OUtW8sfC0&t=93s)”
that now pervaded western society, but also brought examples and message of hope
that things can and are changing. Some brought personal experiences to back up their
message - like the women who advocated for the importance of legislation that would
protect the unborn and the elderly and vulnerable. When she was conceived, her young
mother, pressured by those her, would have had an abortion and the speaker would
not be here today. She is here, to the joy of her family, because at the time there
was a law against abortion. As much as her mother tried, no doctor would abort her
baby.

The march through the streets in the heart of Ottawa was a joyful witness that Canadians
do care about and choose life. The chants of young voices throughout the actual 
march brought attention to the fact that a great percentage of the participants 
were young adults, students and families with children! Besides the great speakers
and a Christian band, there was also a spirit of prayer that bound the entire day.
Some groups came to pray in the course of the day, [**gathering off to the side**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C3rkvZH1Fs),
others chanted religious slogans as they walked, but there were also major prayer
moments in the course of the day.

The March for Life day began with a truly packed Mass at [**Notre Dame Cathedral**](https://notredameottawa.com/)
in downtown Ottawa. The main celebrant was the Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall, Most
Rev. [**Marcel Damphousse**](https://ottawacornwall.ca/bishops/marcel-damphousse/)**.**
He was joined at the altar by the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop [**Ivan Jurkovic**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Jurkovi%C4%8D)
and the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Toronto, Bishop [**Bryan Bayda**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Bayda),
and New Westminster - Bishop [**Michael Kwiatkowski**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kwiatkowski_(bishop)).
Bishops Bryan and Michael just the evening before participated with Archpriest [**Andrew Oniuferko**](https://ugcc.ua/en/data/father-andrew-onuferko-named-mitred-archpriest-1130/)
in the vigil Vespers at the [**St. John the Baptist National Ukrainian Catholic Shrine**](https://www.stjbshrine.ca/)
in the city. The Cathedral was filled to capacity with people raising their prayer
to heaven for a conversion of all Canadians to rekindle the love of life and of 
neighbour – especially the vulnerable – the unborn, the elderly the ill, the troubled.

The event on Parliament Hill concluded with a beautiful **Moleben’ for Life**, sponsored
by Toronto’s [**Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytstky Institute**](https://sheptytskyinstitute.ca/)
and led by [**St. Elias Parish**](https://www.saintelias.com/) of Brampton. After
the events of the March for Life, several hundred participants made their way to
Hampton Inn where there was large display hall was set up with many organisations
and institutions promoting their work, products and movements. This was followed
by the annual [**Rose Dinner Gala**](https://marchforlife.ca/event/rose-dinner-2026/)
where the keynote speakers were two well-known figures in the effort to raise awareness
about the tragedy of euthanasia - Slovenian activist **Ales Primc** of [**Movement for Children and Families**](https://www.catholicregister.org/item/3915-slovenia-shows-fight-for-life-can-be-won)
and Canada’s **Alex Schadenberg** of the [**Euthanasia Prevention Coalition**](https://epcc.ca/).

One of the major movers and shakers, especially for any Eastern Catholic involvement
was Hieromonk [**Theodosy**](https://royaldoors.net/canadian-priest-receives-the-lesser-schema/)(
Kreychuk), a member of [**Priests for Life**](https://priestsforlifecanada.com/)
and presently involved with [**Madonna House**](https://madonnahouse.org/) at Combermere,
Ontario. He assisted in every event and oversaw the logistics of the [**amazing Moleben’ for Life**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9ntQ5nyoRs&t=10s)
that was attended by hundreds this year.

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