During recent World Respect Life activities, parliamentarians were challenged by pro-life activities organiser, Reverend Father Franklin Cuffy to declare their position on the abortion issue.

Father Cuffy further expressed his wish to have the issue of abortion addressed during this year's election campaign, and for constituents to demand that their Parliamentary Representative state their position on that matter.

Following Fr Cuffy's challenge, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit gave the assurance and his wish that anti-abortion laws would remain in place.

The Prime Minister, who had participated in the March For Life with other Cabinet colleagues to observe World Respect Life Day Saturday, January 30, pledged his government's support by saying, "We don't give life, why should we take it."

The pro-life Committee's efforts on the island were boosted significantly by the participation of two stalwart members of the Pro-Life Movement in Trinidad & Tobago in the weekend's activities.

At a press conference at the Catechetical Centre prior to the march, the Trinidad Pro-Life Educators, Fr George Pritchett, parish priest and spiritual moderator of the Emmanuel Community of Trinidad & Tobago, and Sister Violet D'Ornellas, Co-Founder of the said Community who has 20 years' involvement in the Pro-Life Movement, spoke of the need for children to be appreciated and regarded as gifts not problems of life. The Emmanuel Community provides counselling and material help for girls in a home called Emmanuel Cradle.

Pointing out that "we must build a society of caring and loving people," Fr Pritchett and Sister Violet revealed that in Trinidad , abortion is a lucrative industry even where it is illegal.

In a passionate plea for support, Sister Violet urged the media to help people make informed changes in their lifestyles, pointing out that the abortion issue was a human and moral issue and those in the movement were in a "spiritual war."

It was Sister Violet's view that no issue was as important as the right to life of an innocent person and rather than pointing fingers, those who were pro-life should look outside themselves but should start something and the Lord will add numbers.

Fr Pritchett and Sister Violet spoke out against those who were frightened about growing populations and who support the establishment of family clinics with a pro-choice policy, singling out for special mention the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Planned Parenthood of America.