College students in Colorado going barefoot for week of pro-life advocacy

Oct 7, 2010 / 04:10 am

The University of Northern Colorado pro-life student group BEARfoot for Babies is going barefoot on campus to mark its “Life Week” celebration, which includes speakers, campus displays, fundraisers and religious services. Their actions intend to show solidarity with unborn children.

BEARfoot for Babies, believed to be one of the largest pro-life campus groups in the United States, says hundreds of students are going barefoot for the week, which lasts from Oct. 3-9. The group takes its name from the University of Northern Colorado mascot, the Bears.

"It is amazing how many conversations are started when students are barefoot on campus. Our second year is going better than we anticipated, and we are thrilled to share the message of life and hope with the students at UNC Greeley,” commented Sunny Longenbaugh, development director of the Bear Catholic campus ministry.

She called the group an “incredible opportunity” for students to “stand in solidarity for babies.”

BEARfoot for Babies planned to erect 3,300 small white crosses on the lawn of the University Center to remember the more than 3,300 babies killed by abortion every day in the country.

Throughout the week the student group is hosting a Life Expo to direct students to organizations and resources for those who are seeking volunteer opportunities, counseling, and alternatives to abortion.

Scheduled speakers at the University Center are Lila Rose, founder of the investigative group Live Action; former Planned Parenthood abortion provider Carol Everett; Rebecca Kiessling, a pro-life speaker who was conceived in rape; Fr. Tad Pacholcyzk of the National Catholic Bioethics Center; and Brian Gail, author of the bestselling book “Fatherless.”

A screening of the documentary “Blood Money” is also among the week’s events, which are free and open to the public.

On Monday Archbishop of Denver Charles J. Chaput celebrated a Mass for the event at St. Peter Catholic Church. On Friday evening the church’s pastor Fr. Rocco Porter will celebrate a healing Mass for the more than 50 million lives lost to legal abortion in the U.S. An outdoor Rosary is also among the week’s events.

"It is truly amazing to see so many college students that are passionate for the dignity of life.” Longenbaugh continued. “Hundreds of pro-life students are serving as a witness for those lives lost to abortion, simply by going barefoot.”

He added that the event is a chance to highlight the “tragedy of abortion” while also delivering “a message of hope.”

The BEARfoot for Babies event is the second since 2009. Its website is at http://www.bearfootforbabies.org.