16/07/2013 12:47 pm
Message values the weak and vulnerable as “masterpieces of God’s creation”
In a special message to Catholics across Britain and Ireland for the annual Day for Life, Pope Francis has emphasised the need to care for life from conception to natural end.
In his message, he says that all life has inestimable value ‘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 for ever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect’.
He has promised his prayers that ‘Day for Life will help to ensure that human life always receives the protection that it is due.‘
Over half-a-million leaflets have been sent to parishes in England and Wales in readiness for Day for Life – Sunday, 28 July.
The theme of the Day is ‘Care for Life – It’s Worth It’ taken from a homily preached by Cardinal Bergoglio in 2005 during a Mass in honour of the protector of Pregnant Women, Saint Raymond Nonnatus.
Within this homily, the now Pope Francis said:
“All of us must care for life, cherish life, with tenderness, warmth…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.
“Caring for life from the beginning to the end. What a simple thing, what a beautiful thing… So, go forth and don’t be discouraged. Care for life. It’s worth it.”
This year’s Day for Life focuses on care for unborn children and their mothers; care for people who are elderly and care for those who are suicidal and their families.
One of its key aims is to build an environment of compassion and care that nurtures and sustains life, even in the most challenging of human events and personal circumstances.
Collection
Day for Life is celebrated annually by the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales. The proceeds of the Day for Life collection to be held in parishes in England and Wales assist the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life related activities supported by the Church.
Message from Pope Francis to Catholics in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales
“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 recognise the inestimable value of all human life.
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 for ever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.
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” (Psalm 150:6).’
Catholicism Pure & Simple 
What a pity that Pope Francis couldn’t have roused himself to send a pro-life message to Irish Catholics BEFORE the abortion legislation was passed. Too little too late, Your Holiness.
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My poor Ireland… yes, I agree with the other commentator. Perhaps it would have been better if it had been a little sooner. But, at least he is trying.
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Well, what about parish priests, in Ireland, England, or wherever, who never, ever preach sermons on the evils of abortion? Are they not more responsible for the blasé attitudes of their congregations, who hear their sermons every Sunday morning, than is the Pope, whose homilies they never hear and whose writings they never read? Same goes for breast beating about same sex ‘marriage’. When was the last time we’ve heard sermons denouncing it? Like, never?
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That’s a fair point, John Henry, but the Pope’s words are in fact quite widely reported on TV and in the papers whenever he says anything “controversial” — e. g. any criticism of abortion or homosexuality. So the faithful would be well aware of any papal pronouncements on these issues. If the Pope were to give a strong lead, I am sure that priests would follow him, for the most part. But if the Pope remains silent, he gives them no encouragement at all to raise their heads above the parapet.
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