Resistance for life

Resistance for life shows no signs of stopping in the United Kingdom, even as threats to human life—at both its very beginning and its natural end, and to life in general—continue to mount.

In the face of the possibility of abortion up until birth, which became law with the Royal Assent of the Crime and Policing Act on April 29th, and the promised attempts by MPs to once again pass the Assisted Dying Bill (recently rejected by the Lords), the Catholic Church and the ‘people of Life’ continue to spread the “Gospel of Life.”

The powerful appeal made by Bishop Philip in his statement has not gone unheard:

“As Catholics, we know that every human being has been created and willed by God. This is why we must calmly but insistently work to protect the unborn child in the womb and to protect women from abortion. We must continue to witness to the truth about human life and campaign to change people’s hearts and minds. We must also support and pray for women who have had abortions and for those who find themselves in a difficult situation. I ask: Have we really done everything we can to make our voices heard above the clamour for death?”.

The Counter-Offensive of the “People of Life”

Facing the gravest threats to life in our society today, the Catholic Church and the main pro-life organizations in the United Kingdom are launching a true counter-offensive. The pro-life front is regrouping around four key pillars: prayer, support for pregnant women or those facing the aftermath of an abortion, public awareness, and institutional pressure.

Their common goal is to defend the right to life and the dignity of every child, every woman, and every man—of every person from conception to natural death.

Rosary for Life – May

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), through the Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Reverend John Wilson, has launched a major prayer campaign for the month of May, dedicated to the Virgin Mary: the Rosary for Life.

“Don’t delay, please pray for life” is the urgent request made by Archbishop Wilson and the CBCEW. Furthermore: “Pray the rosary. Encounter Christ. Defend life” because “As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of his love and peace”.

The Novena for Life – 23-31 May

The Bishops “are encouraging people to pray this novena starting on 23 May so that it finishes on 31 May, on the Feast of the Visitation” praying for expectant mothers and fathers, the end of abortion, unborn children, healing after abortion, mothers choosing adoption, Civic Leaders, all who support or participate in abortion, all who Defend Life.

Day for Life – 21st of June

The Day for Life will be celebrated across the UK by the three Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland on June 21st, to teach “that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death”.

The theme of the forthcoming Day for Life, as announced by Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the CBCEW, is a reflection on “the humanity of the unborn and to acknowledge with compassion the deep grief experienced by parents who lose a child before or shortly after birth”.

This reflection is based on a fundamental truth, Archbishop Sherrington explains: “God chose to enter the world as an unborn child, embracing the fullness of human existence from its earliest stage. His coming reveals that at every point of development, the child in the womb is a unique and irreplaceable human person. This truth is now even reflected in certain civil procedures such as the granting of baby loss certificates to bereaved parents who lose a little one during pregnancy”.

The Right to Life UK Petition to the Prime Minister

Immediately following the final approval of Clause 208 regarding the decriminalisation of abortion, Right to Life UK launched a petition addressed to the Prime Minister. The petition, which is currently gathering thousands of signatures, calls for a drastic reduction in the upper time limit for abortion, which is currently set at 24 weeks.

SPUC: “Join the Fightback” and the Next Parliamentary Session

SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) has declared that the passing of the Crime and Policing Act is not the end of the struggle, but the beginning of a new phase of resistance. Following April 29th, described as a “sad day for unborn children,” SPUC is preparing to return “stronger than ever” in the upcoming parliamentary session in May with its “Join the Fightback” campaign. The goal is to introduce new amendments in every future session until every human life is protected.

At the same time both SPUC and Right to Life continues their campaigns against assisted suicide.

March for Life UK – 5th September

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Director of March for Life UK, clarifies: “Our next March for Life, taking place on September 5th in London, is centered on the theme ‘Abortion hurts family’. This is because the erosion of laws that protected the unborn child and which, in some way, helped protect women during pregnancy and childbirth, will cause further breakdowns within the family and, consequently, within the community”. Women deserve better than abortion.

Pilgrimage for Life

Livia Tossici-Bolt, leader of 40 Days for Life-Bournemouth, has proposed a walking pilgrimage to awaken consciences and increase public awareness regarding the scope of the new law, which opens the possibility of abortion up until birth. The pilgrimage is set to depart from the South of England towards the end of August, arriving in London for the March for Life on September 5th. A public manifesto will accompany the march, serving as a cry of witness against total decriminalisation.