Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – While the National Supreme Court in Mexico decides on the constitutionality of the law decriminalizing abortion in Mexico City up to 12 weeks’ gestation period, thousands of lay faithful with the conviction that human life begins at conception, will journey on foot on Sunday, June 22, in prayer, towards the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to give thanks to God, our Father, for the “Amazing Gift of Life.” The March has been organized by the Archdiocese of Mexico City, led by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, and will be attended by a large number of Catholic organizations and civil associations, under the group entitled “Unión de Voluntades.” As of right now, there are 63 Catholic organizations who have confirmed their participation in the event.
The March will begin at 9am in the “Exglorieta de Peralvillo” in order to set off on the “pilgrimage” walk entitled, “The Amazing Gift of Life,” and attend Mass at 12 noon, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, presided by Cardinal Rivera. According to organizers, the pilgrimage walk will take place in order, peace, prayer, respect, joy, and with gratitude for the Amazing Gift of Life that we ourselves are witnesses of. The images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego will also be present on the March, during which the Rosary will be recited for the unborn, for women who have the gift of giving birth to new life, and for the entire people of Mexico, as well as for Mexican lawmakers, the Supreme Court ministers, and for all those involved in the fight for life in the Mexican Supreme Court.
“As Catholics, we should make our voice heard, as fervent believers and in support of the doctrine of the Catholic Church, which clearly indicates that human life, a gift from God, begins at the very moment of conception,” said Guillermo Bustamante Manila, General Coordinator of “Unión de Voluntades."
This March is an effort to make the ministers of the National Supreme Court reflect, as they are the ones who are currently holding public audiences in order to be informed as to the arguments in favor and against declaring the law decriminalizing abortion as unconstitutional (in Mexico City). In these audiences, lay faithful of the pro-life movement have presented all kinds of arguments: juridical, political, sociological, medical, bioethical, biological, and from the human rights’ standpoint, in efforts against the decriminalization of abortion in Mexico City. Since April 2007, legislators in Mexico City have made it possible to perform abortions “legally” up until 12 weeks’ gestation period. As of today, nearly 9,000 abortions have “legally” been performed in public hospitals run by the governing body of Mexico City. The Supreme Court is expected to reach a sentence - which would be definitive – this coming August.
“Let us take up the words of the Holy Father John Paul II, who once spoke in this country saying: ‘May no Mexican ever dare to harm this precious and sacred gift of life that comes forth from the mother’s womb,’” said Guillermo Bustamante. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/06/2008)
