A Worldwide Witness to Life

June 30, 2026

From Canada to Mexico to the Philippines, Knights participate in pro-life marches and rallies

By Cecilia Engbert

June 30, 2026

Knights from councils throughout Mexico participate in the country’s annual March for Life in downtown Mexico City. — Knights from councils throughout Mexico participate in the country’s annual March for Life, joining more than 2,000 people in downtown Mexico City on April 25. (Photo courtesy of Pasos por la Vida)

This past spring, Knights of Columbus joined tens of thousands of demonstrators at pro-life marches and rallies held in major cities around the world.

On May 13, thousands of demonstrators, including Ontario State Deputy David Galinas and Knights representing state and local councils, turned out for the 29th March for Life in Ottawa, Ontario, to protest abortion and euthanasia at the country’s largest annual pro-life demonstration. Other marches, supported by the Order, took place during the month in Victoria, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; and elsewhere in Canada.

The Knights of Columbus is a longstanding sponsor of the national march in Ottawa, which is organized annually by Campaign Life Coalition, and dozens of local Knights serve as its marshals. Among the speakers who addressed the pre-march rally were several Knights of Columbus, including Past State Deputy Bruce Poulin of Ontario and Jeff Gunnarson, national president of Campaign Life Coalition and a member of Galt Council 2184 in Cambridge, Ontario.

A Fourth Degree honor guard leads pro-life demonstrators past Parliament Hill during the 29th National March for Life in Ottawa, Ontario. — A Fourth Degree honor guard leads pro-life demonstrators past Parliament Hill during the 29th National March for Life in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 13. (Photo by Patrick Doyle)

“Sometimes this work can feel difficult, sometimes we feel like no progress is being made,” said Gunnarson. “But then we gather here and we remember that truth does not expire. … History shows us that great social evils are not overcome overnight. They are overcome when ordinary people refuse to give up. This is why the march matters.”

Each year, the March for Life in Ottawa takes place near the anniversary of the 1969 omnibus bill that decriminalized abortion in Canada. Now, the march also stands in opposition to euthanasia, which has claimed more than 100,000 lives since legalization in 2016.

Also speaking at the rally, Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa-Cornwall, former Ontario state chaplain, emphasized the theme of this year’s march: “Follow me.”

“These words of Jesus are not only a call to walk behind him, they are a call to see the world as he sees it, to love as he loves, and to protect what he treasures most deeply — human life,” Archbishop Damphousse said. “A human life is never valuable because of productivity, independence, or usefulness. Human life is sacred because it is created by God and loved by him.”

Euthanasia and assisted suicide, which account for more than 5% of the country’s deaths, are legal in Canada for persons with serious illness, disease or disability. The country’s legislation is scheduled to expand euthanasia to people with psychiatric conditions in March 2027.

“Today, we are sending a message to our country,” Gunnarson said. “Canada can do better. Canada must do better. And with God’s help, one day, Canada will do better.”

Young people share pro-life witnesses with thousands of demonstrators at the March for Life in Mexico City. — Young people share pro-life witnesses with thousands of demonstrators at the March for Life in Mexico City on April 25. (Photo courtesy of Pasos por la Vida)

The Order has also been a longtime supporter of the annual March for Life in Mexico City, held each year around the anniversary of the decriminalization of abortion by the city government on April 24, 2007. Councils from Mexico joined more than 2,000 demonstrators in downtown Mexico City for this year’s event on April 25.

Since Mexico City decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, 24 of the country’s 31 states have followed suit, loosening restrictions on abortion.

Among the thousands of protesters at this year’s pro-life event were Supreme Director Jorge Estrada and Mexico South State Deputy Rene Sansores. Knights from several jurisdictions organized groups of marchers and handed out K of C signs during the event.

The large number of young people who attended the March for Life was an inspiration for many, including Estrada.

“It filled me with hope, especially seeing so many young people leading and supporting the cause,” Estrada said. “Their stories and dedication were truly inspiring.”

Knights participate in the Diocese of Balanga’s March for Life in Bataan, Luzon North. — Knights participate in the Diocese of Balanga’s March for Life in Bataan, Luzon North, on March 7 — one of several pro-life marches across the Philippines, drawing hundreds of Knights from each of the country’s four jurisdictions. (Photo by Joshua C. Gallardo / DCDD-Balanga)

In San Pedro, Laguna, more than 3,000 Knights from about 300 councils throughout the Luzon South jurisdiction participated in a prayerful Walk for Life on March 21, beginning at Santo Rosario Church and concluding at San Pedro Apostol Parish Church.

“The Walk for Life is important to open the eyes of our fellow citizens,” said Isagani Maghirang, past grand knight of San Pablo (Luzon South) Council 3468, who participated in the San Pedro pro-life demonstration. “Protecting life, especially the lives of our fellow citizens, is important because this is one of the primary mandates of the Knights of Columbus. Out of the four basic services we promote — faith, family, community, life — life is the path through which we help open people’s eyes to love.”

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CECILIA ENGBERT is a content producer for the Knights of Columbus communications department.