Portland Seminarians Join the West Coast March for Life
On January 25, 2025, five seminarians from the Archdiocese of Portland joined thousands in San Francisco for the annual West Coast Walk for Life, affirming the sanctity of human life. The day began with Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. The seminarians- Michael Crowell, Ramón Camacho, Jacob McDougall, Erik Morris, and Zach Muñoz- assisted in the liturgy and choir.
In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone urged the faithful to persevere in their mission to uphold life, drawing inspiration from St. Paul’s dramatic conversion. He emphasized the importance of prayer, good works, and standing for truth in a world often indifferent to justice.
The Walk for Life featured powerful speeches from pro-life advocates, including Ryan Bomberger, Sister Deirdre Byrne, Reverend Clenard Childress, and Kelly Lester. Lester highlighted the vital role men play in defending the unborn, encouraging everyone to raise their voices in support of life.
Seminarians joined the crowd in marching from Civic Center Plaza to Embarcadero Plaza, demonstrating solidarity with the pro-life movement. Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Camacho said, “Christ is truly the Light of the World. As we marched, we encountered opposition, reminding us that the fight for life continues. All life is sacred, from conception to natural death.”
The event left participants, including the seminarians, with a renewed commitment to defending life at every stage.