Canadian Pro-Life Prisoner of Conscience Gets "Rock Star" Treatment in Poland

Natalia Dueholm : Oct 29, 2014
LifeSiteNews

Mary Wagner spent two years in an Ontario jail, before her release this June, for her work outside of abortion clinics.

(Cracow, Poland)—Throngs of adoring fans gave frequent pro-life prisoner of conscience Mary Wagner a rock star's welcome in Poland this month as she visited 26 cities in a whirlwind two week tour. (Photo by: Jacek Kotula/via LifeSiteNews)

But Wagner is no rock star; she is a Canadian pro-lifer who spent nearly two years in an Ontario jail, before her release this June, for her work outside of abortion clinics.

Wagner was imprisoned for disturbing the business of an abortion clinic in Toronto, Canada. She was trying to talk to women entering the clinic, and gave each a rose. She remained in prison because she refused in conscience to agree to a bail condition that she stay away from abortion clinics. This very quiet, sensitive, and contemplative woman was treated as a menace by the Canadian judicial system.

Given how many churches and places of worship Mary visited in Poland, she would probably call her journey a pilgrimage rather than a tour. Nonetheless, this is what organizer Jacek Kotula called it. Wagner's Polish visit, which took place from October 3 to 16, is described on the Facebook page "Mary Wagner W. Polsce."

Wagner's sister Sarah followed her tour in Poland via Facebook, writing: "These photos and videos make me so proud of the Polish people... I wish Mary could stay there and be among so many loving friends!! In Poland she is greeted with roses and love. At home in Canada she is greeted with handcuffs. Thank you for welcoming my sister."

Seeing many people at Mary's meetings, especially children, Sarah aptly commented: "Mary is a spiritual mother to so many..."

In total, Kotula estimated that about one million Poles heard her speak.

"Regular people recognized her on the streets," Kotula said. "One day we were going to see Cardinal Dziwisz in Cracow, and a passerby stopped and asked her if she was the Mary Wagner. A moment later, another one told her that her picture was in today's paper. And the same day, when we were going to St. Mary's Church (one of Cracow's main tourist attractions), a Polish couple from Canada approached to spontaneously embrace her."