Throughout the U.S., events last weekend were held by pro-life groups to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

The largest gathering took place in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands of supporters participated in the 34th annual March for Life Jan. 22, and listened to a telephone message from President George W. Bush. "A true culture of life cannot be built by changing laws alone," he said. "We've all got to work to change hearts."

With temperatures hovering right around freezing, the marchers packing several square blocks of the Mall and overflowing onto side streets, turned the previous day's snowfall into acres of muddy slush.

On the eve of the event, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said there are "reasons for rejoicing" despite abortion's legality, primarily because of lower abortion rates and increased public opposition to abortion. He said many teens "are wisely choosing to abstain from sexual activity" because of religious and moral values and also to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

"To be free of disease, to be free of the fear of an ill-timed pregnancy, to be free of a broken heart --- this is the freedom that we want for our young people, and we rejoice that it is unfolding," he added.

---CNS