Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lisbon (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church in Portugal is mobilising Catholics in view of a February 11 referendum on the legalisation of abortion (see Fides 14/12/2006). To increase awareness of the seriousness of the matter the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference has issued various statements on the question including a Pastoral letter with five reasons for defending life (see Fides 25/10/2006, 20/11/2006, 15/11/2006, 31/10/2006). Each diocese is organising its own initiatives in view of the referendum.
One of these initiatives is a Life is in Your Hands Campaign organised by the Lisbon based Schoenstatt apostolic movement Lisbon. Inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary’s ‘visitation’ to her cousin Elizabeth, the "campaign of prayer and awareness building aims to ensure a victory for life". Since 5 December 2006, 300 missionaries have undertaken to carry the Image of the Pilgrim Mother to individuals and families asking them to recite daily the Prayer for Life written by John Paul II. The campaign will involve a total 4.500 people and is dedicated to the Thrice Admirable Mother of Schoenstatt venerated in the Schoenstatt Shrine in Lisbon, where the campaign will conclude on 4 February with the return of the holy image and the coronation of the Pilgrim Mother as Queen of Life.
A Campaign Newsletter, based on bishops’ guidelines, explains the purpose of the campaign and gives fundamental reasons for rejecting abortion and voting for Life. It includes testimonials including the story of a mother who refused to abort her child even knowing it had the Down Syndrome. Among other reasons, the Letter explains that the embryo is already a human person and against whom ‘any violence is always unjust’; the referendum concerns not the de-penalising but the actual ‘legalisation’ of abortion; abortion is a moral sin for Catholics and a serious offence against “universal value of respect for life". People wishing to join the campaign may apply to:
avidanastuasmaos@gmail.com.
Another initiative is a March for Life on Sunday 28 January in Lisbon organised by the Portuguese Large Families Association. The 2 km March will reflect on 7 stages of life: conception, birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Movements and associations are invited to prepare reflection texts. The March will conclude with speeches and the singing of the Hymn to Life with the participation of various artists. Associations wishing to adhere should inform Portuguese Large Families Association Associação Portoghese di Famílias Numerosi, Portuguese Large Families Association, direccao@apfn.com.pt. with an e-mail with the subject: “We want to help Portugal”, saying: “The Association… (name) supports the "Caminhada dà Vita" to save the lives of unborn children”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 16/1/2007; righe 37, parole 502)
