Vatican City, 18 July 2013: Ahead of the annual Day for Life Sunday in the U.K., Pope
Francis has sent a message to British and Irish Catholics encouraging them to promote
the profound value of all human life in their societies.
“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 recognize the inestimable value of all human life,” he said
in his July 17 message.
“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 forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”
The message from the Bishop of Rome is sent days before the Day for Life will be celebrated
in England, Wales and Scotland on July 28. Ireland observes the special Sunday on
Oct. 6.
The timing of the message comes as Ireland advances towards liberalizing
access to abortion. On July 12 the Dáil, Ireland's lower house of parliament, approved
a bill allowing abortions which would save a woman's life, including when the mother
threatens to commit suicide. The bill still needs the approval of the upper legislative
body, the Seanad.
In this message, Pope Francis underscored the need to care
for life from conception to natural end. “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.'”
Observing Day for
Life Sunday, parishes in England and Wales collect proceeds during the day to support
the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life related activities supported
by the Church.
The day’s theme this year will be “Care for life: It’s worth
it,” taken from a homily preached by Pope Francis when he was the cardinal archbishop
of Buenos Aires at a 2005 Mass in honor of Saint Raymond Nonnatus, the patron of pregnant
mothers.
“All of us must care for life, cherish life, with tenderness, warmth,”
he had preached. “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.”
During
the Mass he emphasized that “caring for life from the beginning to the end” is “a
simple and beautiful thing. Go forth and don’t be discouraged … care for life, it’s
worth it.” Source: CNA