CEMETERY OF THE INNOCENTS
by Christine Routley
A cemetery of 9,000 small white crosses erected on the Perth Esplanade on Saturday, 5 November 1994, graphically brought home to politicians, the public and the media the size and scope of WA’s annual abortion toll.
Organised by the Coalition for the Defence of Human Life (CDHL), the ‘Cemetery of the Innocents’, as it was called, was a national first for Australia’s pro-life movement.
The planting of the Cemetery was held in conjunction with a memorial service attended by representatives from all major denominations and organised by the CDHL and Women Hurt By Abortion (WHBA).
Sue Clifford, National Co-ordinator for WHBA, said "Most women who are 9,000 crosses on Perth's Esplanade grieving from an abortion have had no opportunity to mourn the loss of their child. Society does not acknowledge the reality of our loss. We are supposed to forget it and get on with our lives. The memorial service provides a welcome opportunity to accept and deal with our grief and to say farewell to our children."
Richard Egan, Secretary of the CDHL, said, "The Cemetery of the Innocents is a visible reminder to us of each of the 9,000 lives that have been tragically destroyed by abortion in just one year in Western Australia. Hopefully it will inspire us to work harder at ensuring that women faced with a difficult pregnancy can find life-affirming solutions. Killing babies is never an appropriate answer. Our society is capable of finding a better way."
The memorial service conducted on the Esplanade was also addressed by the Most Rev. Barry J. Hickey, Catholic Archbishop of Perth and Pastor Leroy Randall, representing the Churches of Christ. The Hon. Graham Kierath represented the Premier of WA, Richard Court.
Breaking the conspiracy of Silence Sue Clifford being interviewed by Reporter from Channel 7 News Perth.
Women Hurt By Abortion recognise the very real need to grieve for the child destroyed by abortion. The Memorial Service and Cemetery of the Innocents was a very poignant time for many women who are working through their grief.
Part of the process of grieving when a loved one dies is to say goodbye formally ie: a funeral. It is an opportunity to show ones’ respect for the deceased and a time to reflect on the persons life and your relationship with them. It is a definite act, enabling those who are grieving to move on. WHBA recognises that it is no different for those who are grieving after the loss of a child from abortion. However, the aborted baby is not afforded the simple honour of a funeral. This delays the grieving process as there has been no formal farewell, no definite act of laying someone to rest.
We were very encouraged by the response after the weekend. For example, we know of one baby that was saved from abortion because of the press coverage; numerous phone calls from hurting women looking for post-abortion counseling; these included a woman in her 50’s who had an abortion some 30 years ago and who had been unable to resolve her grief, a gentleman in his 5O’s who had forced his girlfriend to have an abortion, again some 30 years previously, and who wanted to lay some flowers at a cross as a sign of restitution.
The final result of the Cemetery of the Innocents was impressive. Visible in the air from miles away, on the ground the sight was even greater. Standing in Arial view of the 9,000 crosses the middle of the giant cross, thousands of little crosses stretched away to the horizon in all directions. It was much the same experience as visiting the massive war Cemeteries of World War I or 11 in Europe where thousands of soldiers lie buried. Each cross in the Cemetery of the Innocents memorialises a child tragically killed before birth - a boy or girl - who was never given the chance to walk or run, to cry or laugh, to grow, to love, to live.
The Cemetery of the Innocents is an inspiration to all of us to do everything possible to defend life, especially by supporting women who courageously opt to choose life at a time when they are placed under such intense pressure to choose its opposite.
Christine Roultey in Cemetery of Innocents
Our very own Christine Routley, interviewed at the Memorial Service.
Many people placed flowers at the foot of the crosses. A very important act as they journey through their grief and come to terms with their abortions.
from 'Women Hurt By Abortion'
February 1995, Vol 1, Issue 1