Witness for life, even if virtual this year, seen as important as ever Pro-life advocates participate in an annual Roe v. Wade memorial vigil outside Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2021. The event, promoted by the Long Island Coalition for Life, was held five days in advance of the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion across the nation. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) By Catholic News Service • Posted January 22, 2021 WASHINGTON (CNS) — Even though “peaceful prayer and witness” will take place in a different format due to the ongoing pandemic, it “must and will continue this year” to mark the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee.