Pope celebrated vigil for “nascent human life”
In an unprecedented appeal, Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics around the world to join him in prayer for prenatal babies on November 29, 2010. He led a prayer vigil on the first Sunday of Advent and asked that churches observe the event in some formal way.
The Pope was expressing his concern for the perilous situation of babies worldwide from conception (fertilization) to birth. He said that Advent is “an appropriate time to invoke divine protection on every human being called into existence, and to thank God for the gift of life we received from our parents.”
According to the Catholic Courier, local parishes participating in some form of a vigil event included St. Michael Church (Lyons), St. Mary Church (Canadaigua), St. Mark Church (Greece), St. John of Rochester Church (Fairport), Holy Apostles Church (Rochester), Holy Spirit Church (Penfield), St. Mary Church (Waterloo), and St. Rose Church (Lima). There may have been others whose activities were simply not known by the diocese.
In January, there were some prayer services associated with buses leaving for Washington to carry people who participating in the March for Life on January 24. In addition, there was a Holy Hour on Saturday, January 22, at Sacred Heart Cathedral 7 – 8 PM on the anniversary of the actual Roe v. Wade court decision.
“Nascent human life” is indeed held in disrespect in the U.S., where unborn children are at risk of abortion through the entire nine months of pregnancy. “Health” risks to the mother include:
All of these constitute justification for abortion. Worldwide concern is an appropriate response.
