In a special message to Catholics across Britain for the annual ‘Day for Life’, Pope Francis invites young Catholics in particular to work “to ensure adequate legal protection for the fundamental human right to life”.
The Pope also asks British Catholics “to bring the merciful love of Christ as a life-giving balm to those troubling “new forms of poverty and vulnerability” increasingly evident in contemporary society (cf. Evangelii Gaudium 210).”
Over half-a-million postcards have been sent to parishes and prison chaplaincies in England and Wales in readiness for Day for Life – Sunday, 27 July.
The theme of this year’s Day for Life is #livelife Protect and Cherish Life from its beginning to its natural end. It invites young people in particular to get involved in caring for, nurturing and protecting life at every stage and in every condition.
“As the Church in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales celebrates the 2014 Day for Life, the Holy Father expresses his confidence that this annual witness to the sanctity of God’s gift of life will inspire the faithful, and young Catholics in particular, to combat the culture of death, not only by working to ensure adequate legal protection for the fundamental human right to life, but also by seeking to bring the merciful love of Christ as a life-giving balm to those troubling “new forms of poverty and vulnerability” (cf. Evangelii Gaudium 210) which are increasingly evident in contemporary society.
“To all involved in the Day for Life celebrations, His Holiness imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, joy and peace in the Risen Lord.”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
Day for Life is celebrated yearly by the Catholic Church in Scotland, England and Wales and Ireland. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition.
The proceeds of the Day for Life collection to be held in parishes in England and Wales on Sunday 27 July 2014 assist the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life-related activities supported by the Church.
dayforlife.org
More about Day for Life can be found on the official website.
