Pope to Canadian Church: Witness to the God-given dignity of human life
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin has written
a message to the Church in Canada on behalf of Pope Francis, to mark the annual March
for Life which took place Thursday in Ottawa. The event was part of the national
churches Week for Life and the Family.
In his message, the Pope thanked those
present for their “witness to the God-given dignity, beauty and value of human life”.
He prayed that this event “foster greater respect for the inviolable right to life
of each person” from conception to natural death, as well as support for “the efforts
of all who labour to ensure that this fundamental human right receives adequate legal
protection”.
The Holy Father’s message concluded with a special blessing for
all those involved “in particular to those who aid women in crisis pregnancies and
their children”
The Holy Father also sent similar messages earlier this year
to the March for Life in Washington and the recent March for Life in Rome. Cardinal
Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of the Church in Canada,
read the message to the thousands of people who rallied in front of Parliament Hill
on Thursday.
Below please find the full text of the Holy Father’s message
to the Church in Canada
His Holiness Pope Francis is pleased to
greet everyone taking part in the seventeenth National March for Life in Ottawa, and
he assures them of his spiritual closeness as they give witness to the God-given dignity,
beauty and value of human life. He prays that this event foster greater respect for
the inviolable right to life of each person from conception to natural death and support
the efforts of all who labour to ensure that this fundamental human right receives
adequate legal protection. To the organizers and participants, and in particular to
those who aid women in crisis pregnancies and their children, the Holy Father cordially
imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in the risen Lord. Cardinal
Pietro Parolin Secretary of State