Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) – On Wednesday, April 22, Human Life International of Ecuador presented the Von Galen Award to the President of the Ecuadorian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza of Quito, in the Plenary Assembly of Ecuadorian Bishops, which was held in the Bethany Center for Spirituality. Present at the act was the Apostolic Nuncio of Ecuador, authorities and personnel of the Bishops' Conference, delegates from various organizations of the National Network of Pro-Life and Family Organizations, as well as various media sources inside and outside the country.
According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides, the ceremony was simple. There were also two girls who had been saved from abortion thanks to projects carried out by Human Life International with the help of volunteers in the entrances of abortion clinics.
The prize is a “sign of gratitude shown towards a leader of the Church in Ecuador who has defended his principles and the truth about respecting life, at this time of political tension and violence in Ecuador.” Archbishop Arregui saw it as an acknowledgment of the Church, as the fight for a structured family and the defense of life is not only his, but of the entire Church. The Archbishop affirmed that “the prize is an expression of the Church's constant fidelity to the laws of love.”
In her presentation speech, Amparo Medina, Executive Director of the pro-life group in Ecuador, affirmed that with this prize, the entire team of Human Life International, pays “righteous homage to a great soldier in the pro-life cause: Archbishop Antonio Arregui, a charismatic leader of the Catholic Church who, with courage and strength, has never silenced the truth about life, the family, and freedom.” Focusing on the example of the courage of Cardinal Von Galen, “in denouncing terrible evils, even though it implied a risk to his life,” he affirmed that “those of us living at this time, in which the value of human life is threatened, should not be afraid of doing the same.” Archbishop Arregui “in denouncing the culture of death, has not remained silent and has encouraged us to defend the truth.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2009)
