Campuses becoming front lines in pro-life cause

By Jeff Graham

Some of the most important battles for the pro-life movement are happening on campuses. The most recent is the fight by Heartbeat, the pro-life group at Capilano College, to get club status at the North Vancouver college.

Minerva Macapagal

Minerva Macapagal, an Arts major, has been spearheading the push by 15-20 students to get Heartbeat recognized by the Capilano Student Union. While Heartbeat has not been able to get official club status, the fight is just beginning, and bioethics is among the topics of debate.

"The women’s collective and the Capilano Student Union are both pro-choice, so it’s important for us to be on campus, just so we can show there is another side," she told The B.C. Catholic.

For Macapagal, who attends St. Edmund’s Church in North Vancouver, the fight to get club status has strengthened her faith, tested her courage, and given her hope. The fight has drawn the attention of Capilano College staff and students, and even drawn the attention of The Vancouver Sun and The Province, who have both published stories and letters to the editor about Heartbeat, one of which called Heartbeat an anti-abortion group. Macapagal said that calling Heartbeat an anti-abortion group is a misnomer.

"People call us an anti-abortion group, but we’re really interested in all other life issues as well, from conception to natural death."

Macapagal, who was part of the CCO IMPACT evangelization project this past summer, said it isn’t easy to go against the crowd and proclaim the Gospel of Life at Capilano College.

"I was really nervous to speak up for my own beliefs," said Macapagal. "Obviously, if what you’re saying is against the majority, it’s a little nerve-wracking, but over time I’ve seen all of this as a real blessing, because it’s given me a chance to speak for the unborn, and I’ve found that in speaking up for my beliefs, they’ve become strengthened."

Macapagal has also been grateful for the strength given to her from those close to her.

"One of the biggest things for me has been my family support. My dad especially has really encouraged me, and he reminds me that I’m not alone in this fight; there are people all over Canada and across the world fighting for this as well," she said. "A lot of support has been offered, so I know I’m not alone."

Recently Macapagal and Heartbeat have received support from the National Campus Life Network, the Campaign Life Coalition of B.C., and the Simon Fraser University Pro-Life Club, as well as the legal services of local lawyer Robert Gunnarsson.

Also in their favour is the fact that a pro-life club was actually granted club status by the Capilano Student Union seven years ago, giving them access to photocopiers and meeting rooms and allowing them to set up tables on campus to increase visibility, which Macapagal says is the most important thing.

"Being able to be present on campus for all students to see, that’s the most important thing for us right now."