Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – Yesterday, Madrid became the capital of the Civil Alliance in defense of the right to life. This is what the Institute for Family Policies said in commenting on the Right to Life March that was held in various Spanish cities, and was supported by nearly 700 associations from all over the world, representing 20 million people. France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Malta, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil are just a few of the countries whose civil society groups have supported the initiative that took place in Spain in defense of the prenatal rights of children.
Among the associations that declared their support for the event were: the AIC, which is formed by 53 associations present in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the USA; Family Network (representing over 500 associations from across Latin America); the North American group “C-FAM,” United Families International, International Organization Research Group, Alliance Defence Fund, Concerned Women of America, and the International Organization Law Group, as well as the Hungarian “Association of Large Families”; “Gift of Life” of Malta; the Portuguese Federation of Families, the British Society for the Protection of Unborn Children; the German Family Association , and the “Forum Zivota” (Pro-Life Forum) formed by 30 NGOs from Slovakia.
“The government cannot turn its back on this cry that arises not only from Spain, but from the world, in defense of the right to life,” said Lola Velarde, President of the European Network of the Institute for Family Policies. “Protecting the rights of children in their prenatal stages is a value shared by all civilizations and one that forges an authentic alliance. This is evident in the support that Sunday' March in Spain received from associations from so many different countries,” Velarde explained.
“These marches are just the tip of the iceberg of an entire movement throughout Spain that is showing social rejection for this law that is so detrimental to the rights of the woman and the child,” Lola Velarde added.
The March for Life, whose theme was: “There is no right to kill, but there is a right to live,” that was held through downtown Madrid, was attended by half a million citizens, surpassing organizers' expectations. The demonstration was accompanied by another 87 simultaneous marches in other Spanish cities. Among the speakers at the event were Paloma de Cendra, member of the Committee of Experts for “Derecho a Vivir” (DAV - “Right to Life”), marriage and family psychologist and expert in pregnancy crisis and post-abortion syndrome; Ignacio Arsuaga, President of HazteOir.org; and Dr. Gador Joya, national spokesperson for “Derecho a Vivir” (DAV), who was responsible for the proclamation of the “Manifiesto por la Vida” (Pro-Life Manifesto), which was read almost simultaneously before city halls all over the country of Spain.
Paloma de Cendra observed that abortion “not only kills children, but it destroys mothers, families, entire societies, and consciences.” She also mentioned the fact that “abortion has two main victims: the child and the mother.” “It is not true that this Law is defending mothers' rights. It is not true that this Law seeks their best interests. Abortion goes against the woman. It is not a solution to a problem. It is the real problem. It does not make life easier; it makes it a heavy burden,” she said.
At the end of the demonstration, Dr. Gador Joya read the “Manifesto of the March for Life,” which begins by pointing out that “scientific evidence shows that from the moment of conception there exists a human life worthy of being respected and protected” and that “abortion results in the violent death of a human being and a terrible drama for the woman who undergoes it.”
“With unrestricted abortion, the number of deaths among children will almost double,” as will the number of women who are victims of the “known physical and psychological damages that abortion produces,” the manifesto says. The document continues by requesting that “our laws protect the right to life” and that “the healthcare personnel's right to conscientious objection be respected,” and ends by expressing a firm opposition to “the new abortion law that will only bring about more deaths and cause more suffering for thousands of women.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2009)
