One small ceremony for a Midwest town

One major leap for universal human dignity.

Participants in this ceremony to honor Baby Theresa probably thought it would go unnoticed.

Found dead in a garbage bag April 29 near the Theresa Marsh in northeastern Dodge County, the newborn was buried here Monday in a 24-inch-long white casket, dressed in a pink, one-piece outfit and a white sweater.

In such degradation, they redeemed this child’s humanity.

“It’s important for someone to be here because she didn’t have that on her own,” said Wendy Ninmann of Beaver Dam, who brought her son, Nick, 13, and daughter, Nevaeha, 18 months. “There are people who care.”

What gets little notice in any media coverage today is that the pro-life movement cares as much about the mother as the child. Had the baby’s mother brought her to a hospital or emergency center immediately after birth – or even abandoned her there alive – she would have been protected. Had she brought her and asked for help herself, she would have received any material, medical, legal or spiritual assistance she needed.

Fear is the enemy of the good. It was somehow behind this act. But good finally triumphs.

Pink roses and baby’s breath covered the top of the casket. By the end of the service, more flowers, stuffed animals and notes appeared.

About 40 of the 60 people in attendance signed a guest registry at the service. An online registry held more than 120 messages as of late Monday. Most were from Wisconsin but others were sent from Arizona, Illinois, Mississippi and Hawaii.

A mother who adopted an abandoned baby said…

“I just wish (Baby Theresa’s mother) would have heard me. It doesn’t have to end like this.”