Student on Cross-Country Pro-Life Tour Killed, Hit by Vehicle

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jul 20, 2012   |   1:11PM   |   Washington, DC

A pro-life student who was part of a pro-life cross-country walk was killed this morning when he was hit by a car. Andrew Moore was a student at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California who was a part of the Crossroads tour.

At the time of his death, Moore, a Catholic, was reportedly praying the rosary.

Moore was  participating in the Crossroads Walk Across America — five separate, simultaneous journeys of college students traversing the U.S. and Canada in defense of the unborn. A rising junior from Concord, California, Moore was part of the Central Walk, which began in San Francisco on May 19 and will conclude in Washington, D.C., on August 9.

On the group’s website, Moore, 20, talked about why he joined the Crossroads tour.

“I heard about Crossroads from (Jason Handcock, a Crossroads director) when he gave a talk at Thomas Aquinas College. I had already been involved in the pro-life movement for several years: when I am at home I pray in front of the local abortion mill almost every day, and try to speak to the people going in,” he said.

Moore added, “Crossroads sounded like a good way to serve God and help His children. Having hardly ever left California and my sedate suburban life I was also interested in seeing the country, meeting new good people, and just doing something crazy! I have been considering a vocation to the priesthood for some time and Crossroads is a great way to work on my discernment: prayer, sacrifice, and separation from the distractions of the world.”

Later Friday, Strand True founder and Priests for Life youth director Bryan Kemper commented on Moore’s tragic death.

“I was awoken this morning by a call from Jimmy Nolan, President of Crossroads Pro-life Walks with the news of an accident involving one of the pro-life missionaries. Andrew Moore, a twenty year old from California, was fatally hit by a car while walking across the United States as a witness to the sanctity of life. He was wearing his reflective vest and walking along a U.S. 40 near Stilesville, ID and was struck at about 5am Friday morning,” Kemper said.

“Stand True as worked closely with Crossroads over the years and our Stand True Mission Teams have even walked with them for short distances in the past. Crossroads walkers also visit us at the Priests for Life office in Staten Island every summer. When I got the call, I immediately hopped into the Stand True van and headed out for Indianapolis to be with the team. The rest of the Crossroads team is at a host home right now, resting and preparing for a special Mass tonight. I will be here with the throughout the weekend and will host them when they reach the Dayton area in a few days,” he continued.

“I am asking that all Stand True and Priests for Life supporters please pray for Andrew’s family and for the rest of the Crossroads missionaries as they go through this difficult time. Most of the missionaries will continue the Crossroads mission beginning on Monday and will most definitely need our prayers. The walkers who I have talked to are determined to continue the mission as they know that is what Andrew would want,” Kemper said.

Accompanied by a chaplain to provide spiritual assistance and an RV carrying supplies, the 12 walkers steadily work their way across the country, day and night, five days a week, usually in 15-mile shifts. They attend Mass daily and pray rosaries for the unborn as they walk. On weekends they stop at local parishes to bear witness to the culture of life and to raise funds for their journey. They will collectively walk about 3,000 miles and pass through 12 states. Upon arriving in Washington, they will participate in the Pro-life Rally at the U.S. Capitol on August 11.

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Staff with the Susan B. Anthony List mourned Moore’s death, saying, “Andrew had sacrificed his entire summer to walk 3,000 miles to be a witness for Life through Crossroads. Please pray for the soul of Andy, his family, and for the entire Crossroads team.”