Pro-Life founder Sr. Mary Pilar dies

Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, founder of Pro-Life Philippines, died early Sunday morning, three days after suffering from a brain aneurysm while giving a seminar to medical and nursing students at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas in Cavite.

Verzosa would have turned 68 on Sept 24.

She died at 4:44 a.m. from herniation syndrome secondary to cerebral bleeding at the DLSU Medical Center, according to Manila Archdiocese communications director Peachy Yamsuan.

Her remains were cremated and brought to the Good Shepherd Convent chapel at 1043 Aurora Blvd. in Quezon City Sunday afternoon, said Yamsuan.

Interment has been scheduled for September 12 after the 3 p.m. Mass.

The pro-life movement leader was giving a talk on Thursday when she collapsed. She was rushed to the university’s hospital, where she slipped into a coma and was placed on a respirator.

Verzosa was known to have started the pro-life movement in the country after the visit of the late Fr. Paul Marx, founder of Human Life International, in 1974, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

Marx gave a seminar on the issues of abortion, which was legalized in the United States in 1973 following the landmark Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision, which deemed abortion legal and a fundamental right under the US Constitution.

The decision also overturned a Texas interpretation of a law considering abortion a crime.

The nun, then 28, was inspired by Marx’s call, urging Filipinos to hold on to their life-affirming values. She then started the pro-life movement and became one of the staunchest advocates of life and family in the crusade.

She was also at the frontlines of the campaign against the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill now pending in Congress.