In a special message to Catholics across Britain and Ireland, ahead
of the annual Day for Life, Pope Francis has emphasised the need to care
for life from conception to natural end.
In his message, he says that
all life has inestimable value ‘even the weakest and most vulnerable,
the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s
creation, made in his own image, destined to live for ever, and
deserving of the utmost reverence and respect’.
He has promised his prayers that ‘Day for Life will help to ensure
that human life always receives the protection that it is due.‘
Over
half-a-million leaflets have been sent to parishes in England and Wales
in readiness for Day for Life Sunday (28 July). The theme of the Day is
‘Care for Life – It’s Worth It’ taken from a homily preached by
Cardinal Bergoglio in 2005 during a Mass in honour of the protector of
Pregnant Women, Saint Raymond Nonnatus.
Within this homily, the
now Pope Francis said: “All of us must care for life, cherish life, with
tenderness, warmth ... to give life is to open (our) heart, and to care
for life is to (give oneself) in tenderness and warmth for others, to
have concern in my heart for others. Caring for life from the beginning
to the end. What a simple thing, what a beautiful thing..So, go forth
and don’t be discouraged. Care for life. It’s worth it.”
This
year’s Day for Life focuses on care for unborn children and their
mothers; care for people who are elderly and care for those who are
suicidal and their families. One of its key aims is to build an
environment of compassion and care that nurtures and sustains life, even
in the most challenging of human events and personal circumstances.
Day
for Life is celebrated annually by the Catholic Church in Ireland,
Scotland and England and Wales. The proceeds of the Day for Life
collection to be held in parishes in England and Wales assist the work
of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life related activities
supported by the Church.
The full text follws:
Message from Pope Francis to Catholics in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales
“Calling to mind the teaching of Saint Irenaeus that the glory of God
is seen in a living human being, the Holy Father encourages all of you
to let the light of that glory shine so brightly that everyone may come
to recognise the inestimable value of all human life. Even the weakest
and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are
masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live
for ever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect. His
Holiness prays that the Day for Life will help to ensure that human life
always receives the protection that is its due, so that “everything
that breathes may praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).”
For more information see: www.dayforlife.org