Bogota (Fides Service) - On the feast of the Annunciation, the liturgical commemoration of the Incarnation of the Son of God, the Church in Colombia celebrated a National Day for the Unborn Child. The objective of the Day is to promote respect for the unborn child conceived in the womb but not yet in the world. The initiative also stems from the ever more urgent need to teach young people and adolescents about the beauty and importance of responsible parenthood.
The Bishops of Colombia prepared a special handbook for the occasion titled: National Day for Life: Love the Cradle of life. The handbook, which will serve especially for those engaged in family pastoral proposes various themes for reflection and discussion in groups of apostolate, schools, church communities and also in the media. The themes include the meaning of Love, motherhood and fatherhood as the essence of conjugal love, and a life-project to be planned and built. The handbook is issued with a paper “Family Values verses Safe Sex”, by Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 25/3/2004; righe 15 - parole 178)