Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guayaquil (Fides Service) - To combat serious and insistent attacks on life and the family here and all over the world, every diocese in Ecuador is making a major effort to prepare and participate in the 1st Pro Life and Pro Family in Guayaquil from 21 to 25 March (see Fides 26/2/2007 and 7/3/2007). The Congress is promoted by the national council for Catholic Laity and the Bishops’ Commission for Family Pastoral and the Archdiocese of Guayaquil.
As part of preparations the diocese of Babahoyo organised a pre-congress 11/12 March attended by 250 parish delegates to reflect on life, the family and local legislation and to elect 100 delegates for the national Congress later this month. Reflections on life and the family is taking place at the parish level throughout the diocese and every parish has been encouraged to appoint its own representatives. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day last week a successful pro-life March through the streets of Babahoyo was organised by the diocese.
In the diocese of Machala a pre-congress preparatory meeting held in the cathedral on 10 March was attended by 150 delegates from 14 parishes. The pre-congress organising committee is working all over toe diocese to define activities in preparation for the national congress in Guayaquil.
On the occasion of the Day of the Unborn Child 25 March, the local Church is organising the first ever March for Expecting Mothers on March 20, warmly inviting pregnant women to participate as an act of love. The participating mothers will receive a special blessing from Archbishop Antonio Arregui of Guayaquil. This event is one of several awareness building initiatives open to the public in view of the important National Pro-Life, Pro-Family Congress. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2007; righe 25, parole 350)
