Franciscan Brothers of Peace. Since both were already active in the Pro-Life movement, their common interests and desire to protect the innocent led to a close friendship. Their efforts led to their co-founding a new Pro-Life organization called Pro-Life Action Ministries in 1981, which grew to become one of the largest direct–action, pro–life apostolates in the United States. Being a tremendously gifted orator, Brother Michael became a nationally recognized Pro-Life speaker and was respected for his spiritual insight regarding right to life and sanctity of life issues.

Early Struggles

Also coinciding with his pursuit of a religious vocation, Michael came face to face with a serious problem in his life: chemical dependency. This struggle would eventually bear fruit, however. As the early Brothers would remember, once Michael acknowledged his chemical dependency problem, received treatment and began working his “program” he became one of the most kind and compassionate persons that they had ever known. He remained sober and honest to his death.