Ireland celebrates Day for Life

(Vatican Radio) The annual Day for Life is being celebrated in parishes across Ireland this weekend. The Day is dedicated to celebrating and upholding the dignity of human life.
The theme for this year is “Care for Life: It’s Worth It”.

The Irish Bishops Conference has issued an accompanying pastoral message which focuses on 3 particular areas: care for unborn children and their mothers, care for people who are elderly, and care for those who are suicidal and their families.

Speaking to Lydia O’Kane about the Day for Life, the Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy says, “the theme of life has been centre stage” following the passing of The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act by the Irish government earlier this year. The new law allows terminations to be carried out where there is a threat to the life of the mother. It also allowed where there is medical consensus that the expectant mother will take her own life over her pregnancy.

Bishop Leahy goes on to say that mercy is a key element in reaching out to women to have had an abortion or who are going through a crisis pregnancy. “The mercy of God is infinite and covers all situations and it’s there. The compassion of God wants to reach them” Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Bishop Brendan Leahy