BRAINTREE -- Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) announced Jan. 10 that Ray Flynn has been tapped to serve as keynote speaker at the upcoming annual pro-life rally at Boston's Faneuil Hall.

The previously announced speaker, journalist and radio talk-show host Howie Carr, withdrew his appearance due to a "personal scheduling conflict," said MCFL president Anne Fox.

Flynn, a former Vatican ambassador and Boston mayor, is expected to speak about the future of the pro-life movement at MCFL's Assembly for Life, said Fox.

"He will be making comments on what we've been through, where we are now and where we're going to go in the future," said Fox.

The event will take place Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. in Faneuil Hall. In addition to Flynn's keynote, the rally will include a tribute to the late longtime pro-life activist Mildred Jefferson. Music will be provided by the Montrose School A Cappella Choir as well as Patricia and Eric Anthony and Helen Cross. Deacon Frank McHugh, of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in East Boston, is expected to discuss the Holy Hours that will be held in parishes across the Archdiocese of Boston Jan. 23.

Flynn will present the Hanafin family of Burlington with MCFL's Family of the Year Award, and Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center of Burlington will receive the Thomas J. Flatley Trophy.