People do not change their minds when they are bullied and treated with disrespect, pro-life advocates were told at the Right to Life League of Southern California's annual conference on life issues Jan. 24.

Rather, in order to change the hearts and mindsets of those who favor legalized abortion, "pro-lifers must become better informed in talking one-on-one with those who disagree with them on this crucial subject," said featured presenter Alan Shlemon. And, he added, they must do so while becoming more gracious in their demeanor.

The Focus on the Future Conference, held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, was followed by the annual Requiem Mass for the Unborn, sponsored by the Respect Life Office. The events --- held annually near the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion --- drew parishioners, parish respect-for-life ministry officials, priests, deacons, donors, affiliate organizations, and the general public.

Shlemon, of L.A.'s Stand to Reason organization that works to promote respect for life, shared with the audience effective techniques of persuasion useful in debates on abortion and other life issues that have been perfected by Stand to Reason. Currently, he said, 3,500 abortions are performed in the United States each day.

At Stand to Reason, "We train Christians to persuasively yet graciously share their Christian convictions as ambassadors for Jesus," Shlemon said. Stand to Reason forms ambassadors who have "knowledge, wisdom, and character." It is these attributes, plus prayer and perseverance, that change people's ideas concerning abortion, Shlemon concluded.

'Theology of the Body'
Preceding Shlemon was an explanation of the "Theology of the Body" by Social Service Sister Paula Vandegaer, founder of International Life Services, Volunteers for Life, and the Scholl Institute of Bioethics. The Theology of the Body was developed by Pope John Paul II in a series of teachings on the sacredness of human sexuality and marriage, which he delivered during his weekly audiences during the first several years of his pontificate.

Sister Vandegaer --- an internationally recognized leader in the pro-life movement, who wrote "Introduction to Pregnancy Counseling," the first textbook written for pro-life counselors --- told the audience the Theology of the Body teaches, as does the Bible, that the human body and the marital act were created by God and are good. The former pope, she said, wants Catholics to realize that sex in marriage is beautiful, as are all children, born and unborn.

"The Right to Life League provides right-to-life information and services to whoever needs them and provides special services to pregnancy counseling centers and clinics and to maternity homes to help them do what they do better," Rachel Molina, the organization's media director explained.

Project Rachel, a post-abortion counseling program, and the abstinence program, "Sex, Love and Choices," are under the Right to Life League's umbrella. Because the League is self-financed, fundraising efforts like the organization's annual golf tournament June 8 and its benefit dinner next fall are vital to its efforts, Molina said.

'Consistent with God's plan'
That evening, Cardinal Roger Mahony presided at the seventh annual Requiem Mass for the Unborn, attended by approximately 3,000 people including members of many religious communities as well as Catholics.

In his homily, Cardinal Mahony said that over the past two decades, abortions have declined in the U.S. by 33 percent, to 1.2 million annually, and there has been a 48 percent decrease in abortions by women under the age of 20. He attributed these significant advances to prayer, persuasion and the hard work of men and women of faith in many denominations.

These changes occurred and future changes will come about, the cardinal said, because "if we are consistent with God's plan and will, with time, prayer and gentle persuasion, people's hearts and minds change."

Cardinal Mahony also encouraged the assembly to write to their congressional representatives and ask them to vote to oppose the pending federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). This act would create a "fundamental right" to abortion that government could not limit but would have to support.

The Requiem Mass concluded with an impressive procession of light in which 148 people processed to the altar, each carrying a lighted candle, each spark of light represented an unborn child who had died that day from abortion in Los Angeles County. The candles were placed in a circle around the altar, and a second of silence was observed for each of the unborn children.

Music was again provided by the Shantigarh choir conducted by John Bonaduce who composed the "Requiem Mass for the Unborn" sung annually at the event by a collaboration of singers and choirs. The diversity of ages was highlighted by the participation of youth in the choir from Our Lady of the Valley School and parish in Canoga Park (where Bonaduce is music director), and current and past members of the Notre Dame High School choirs in Sherman Oaks (where Bonaduce is on the faculty).

"You're never too young," the cardinal said, "to proclaim the sanctity of life."