As we chatted about the event, a member of the Right to Life Association of Newfoundland asked us if we would like to be interviewed by the province’s largest television station. Steve and I agreed to the interview.

Although I was somewhat nervous about speaking to a provincial television station, I knew my testimony was important. Many of the attendees on the Walk for Life are over 50 and those who are in a position to make decisions about reproduction cannot necessarily relate to them. NTV felt it was important to interview younger people because we are not as well represented at these events. Pam Parsons, the interviewer, first asked me why it’s important to have these events. I responded that the pro-life movement is not about condemnation but about our belief that life begins at conception and all people must be protected. I told her that we have this prayerful walk every Good Friday to witness to our beliefs and to offer support for those making decisions about pregnancy.

She then asked why it’s important to have people my age at these events. I said it is our generation that is faced with important decisions on family and child birth, and we are in a key position to evangelize our peers.

I felt NTV covered the event quite well. It appeared about five minutes into the NTV Evening Newshour, the province’s most watched news show. In addition to its prominent placement, the anchors went against standard media practice and referred to our group as “pro-life” rather than anti-abortion, or worse yet, anti-choice. On top of this, the event was covered on a 5:30 p.m. early edition of the news.

In both stories, I had a prominent place and each of my two answers were used. After seeing the coverage, I was proud of how the pro-life movement was represented and glad that I was able to play a part in that.

During the interview, that wasn’t the case. I worried my answers may not have conveyed the message I intended or that I may have mixed up my words or been too hesitant. But when I actually saw the news piece, I was reassured.

This was my first opportunity to speak directly to a secular news media outlet and I’m glad I took the chance. I believe it is important for Catholics to speak on these important issues. Often we feel nervous or shy, but thinking of the positive impact we may have brings reassurance. An important lesson I learned is to do as St. Peter advises in his biblical letter concerning preparation: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15).

(Lynch, 27, works in marketing and web site maintenance in St. John’s, Nfld.)