Lima (Fides Service) - “Catholics must be aware of their duty to protect life at every stage and to combat any danger which threatens the life of the unborn child”. This affirmation was made by the Bishops of Peru in a special Message issued on the occasion of the “National Day for the Unborn Child” on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation which commemorates the Incarnation of the Son of God, the beginning of his life on earth, and as such encourages Christians to work to protect life from the moment of conception to its natural end.
In the Message the Bishops remind Catholics of their “duty to protect the life of the newly conceived child threatened in our day by abominable actions and policies such as legalised abortion, the so-called day-after-pill and other birth control means promoted by campaigns for reproductive health”. In view of the Day, the Peruvian Centre for Family Promotion and Natural Birth Regulation launched a campaign: “Spiritual adoption of an unborn child in danger of being aborted ” which encourages people to pray for unborn babies and to help increase awareness with regard to the life of the child in the womb before birth, a life that must be respected and protected, the life of a human person who has the right to be brought into the world. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 25/3/2004; righe 17 - parole 229)