by Marc and Julie Anderson
mjanderson@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — Proudly pro-life.
That was the theme of the closing gala for the National Right to Life Committee’s national convention held June 20-21 at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park.
The simple phrase also serves as the name of the latest award bestowed during the gala on Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann. One of the national committee’s highest honors, it is, according to Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, “reserved for those who have demonstrated unwavering courage, compassionate leadership and enduring commitment in protecting the most vulnerable among us — the unborn, the elderly and those with disabilities.”
Founded in 1968, National Right to Life is the nation’s oldest and largest pro-life organization and consists of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, the District of Columbia and more than 3,000 local chapters. It works to “restore legal protection to the most defenseless members of our society who are threatened by abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.”
The Proudly Pro-Life award’s past recipients include notable figures such as Congressman Henry Hyde, President Ronald Reagan, St. Teresa of Kolkata and St. John Paul II.
In presenting the award, Maggie Bick, a board member of Missouri Right to Life as well as a delegate to the National Right to Life Committee, said to the archbishop, “Your unshakable pro-life leadership has been and is a model for all Catholics and Christians — not just in Missouri and Kansas — but throughout the United States. You are one of God’s holiest.”
Bick then read the resolution citing just some of the reasons for Archbishop Naumann’s selection.
After a prolonged standing ovation, the archbishop took to the stage and offered remarks.
“It’s a great honor to accept this award,” he said. “And when I saw who past recipients were, I thought, ‘Whose name does not belong in this?’”
As the laughter subsided, he turned serious.
“I’m very humbled to receive it,” he said. “In the pro-life movement, you meet extraordinary people, and you’re part of that movement. You’re part of the work of your states, you’re on the front lines of this. And for me . . . whatever has happened during my time in St. Louis and now here in Kansas City, it really is because I’ve been surrounded by incredible people who complemented and completed many of the inadequacies that I had.”
“One of the goods that [the Lord] has brought out of the tragedy of legalized abortion in this country,” he added, “is bringing together people of diverse faiths and no faith that are united in this passion that every human life is precious, every life is made in the image of God and every life is of such worth that Jesus Christ gave his life on Calvary.”
“It’s a great honor and privilege to accept this award,” he concluded. “I accept it on behalf of all those — so many — saints that I’ve met in the pro-life community. So many of them helped me in so many different aspects of pro-life ministry. I accept it on their behalf. . . . The Lord likes to make clear that it’s not human ingenuity or power, but it’s his work and the Holy Spirit’s work. That’s what gives me confidence. . . . We know that Jesus has already won the victory and we’re part of its unfolding in this time and in this place.
“So, thank you all for your commitment to life. It’s a privilege to be counted among your number.”
