Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – In an effort to announce, promote, support, and defend human life, the Department for Family and Child Pastoral Ministry, of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference, along with other church groups, have been celebrating the Week for Life since 2000. It is a time to reflect, proclaim, promote, and celebrate the undeniable value of human life, and the Catholic Church in Venezuela uses this Week to promote this right to life in a special way. Defending life is an authentically Christian social action; it is the primordial right of every human being in their existence in society.
The Week for Life began on Sunday, April 19, a week after the feast of Our Lord's Resurrection, as it is a perfect occasion for showing our love for life, which is a gift from our Creator. “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10). The theme of the week, which ends on Sunday, April 26, is: “United in Prayer for Life.”
Throughout the entire Week for Life, there will be activities promoting respect for life, which hope to contribute in building up a culture of life, in which it is promoted and respected. For example, there are plans for open forums on the theme “Human life is sacred and inviolable.” On April 26, at 10 am, every diocese, parish, community, school, hospital, prison...of Venezuela, will unite in prayer for life. In a similar manner, all are invited to accompany this prayer by lighting a candle for life in our country. There will also be a “Walk for Life” with banners defending life, etc. The path of the Walk will also include 5 stations where pilgrims can meditate on the mysteries of the “Rosary for Life.” In the Diocese of Tachira, there will be a Walk on the 26th , at 10am, followed by a Mass at noon. “We hope to defend the right to life, so that people are reminded of the fact that “human life is sacred because it is the fruit of God's work and always maintains a special relationship with the Creator,” organizers affirmed. They also added that only God is the Lord of Life, from its beginning until its natural end, which is why “no one, in any circumstance whatsoever, can decide to take a life.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 21/04/2009)
