THE key to ending abortion is to build relationships and change people’s hearts, according to 40 Days for Life Brisbane organiser Brendan Wong.
The campaign is entering its fifth year of prayer vigils in Brisbane this Lent, and Mr Wong said he wanted to focus on deepening relationships with people who consider having abortions.
“The difference between us and other groups is we really want to build relationships, and not just with the women going to abortion clinics,” he said.
“For us, the most effective way to end abortions is to go out there connecting with others.
“We’ve done many ineffective methods in the past, but really by building relationships, they can build with others, and that’s all the heart of it.”
Mr Wong said the group hoped to raise more awareness about the pro-life campaign, and about the impact of abortion on society.
Officials of 40 Days for Life claim that, since beginning in 2007, the international campaign has saved 6749 lives in more than 15 countries, but according to Mr Wong, “We’ve only scratched the surface”.
“The greatest challenge for us, is that we need to get the word out, not just to Catholics, but to many denominations, and many churches,” he said.
“Ninety-nine people out of a hundred have never heard of 40 Days for Life.
“As a rule, not many people even know about abortions – it’s not something they think about, and it’s not urgent, not important.
“The need is endless unless abortion ends.
“I think of it as a similar situation to ending slavery, which used to be common, but now, it’s frowned upon.
“It’s about changing people’s hearts.”
Despite the challenges the Brisbane group has faced in trying to promote the campaign widely, Mr Wong said getting volunteers, particularly young adults, had never been an issue.
“On a team level, we have mainly young adults, ranging from young couples and parents, full-time workers, and even students,” he said.
“I think it attracts young people because it was started (here) by two young adults – myself and my wife,” he said.
“We basically networked through our friends to get the campaign started.”
The 40 Days for Life campaign will begin in Brisbane with the Shrove Tuesday Kickoff Rally on February 12 from 7pm at the Emmaus Centre, Paddington.
For more information about the prayer vigil, or to get involved, visit www.40daysforlife.com or phone 0415 475 438.
