Rome (Agenzia Fides) – February 13 to March 24 will be "40 Days of Prayer for Life," an initiative now being practiced in several countries of America and Spain, in order to promote prayer in defense of life.
The initiative comes from an idea that came about in 2004, in the State of Texas (USA), where a local pro-life group launched the initiative of " 40 Days of Prayer for Life," to reduce the number of abortions." This first year, about 1,000 people participated and the results showed a 28% decrease in the abortion rate in that state. There are now over 200,000 people that come out to the streets each year to support life. The last campaign in the USA and Canada included 170 cities, and was held from September 24 to November 2, 2008 and even caused "concern" for its effects: personnel who left abortion clinics, a 30-50% drop in office visits, and numerous abortions prevented.
This year, in Latin America, a group of pro-life organizations in Peru, led by the Family Action Center "CEPROFARENA," have organized the First Iber-American Day. Last year, they celebrated the First 40 Days for Life in Peru February 14 to March 24. Seeing the great success it had and the fruits it bore, a second 40 Days for Life was organized August 19-September 27, 2008, which also included an Ecumenical Prayer, as the defense of life is something that people of many faiths are working towards.
This year, the organization has launched the First Ibero-American 40 Days for Life that they hope will become a permanent activity. This date has been chosen, in order to prepare for the Day of the Unborn Child, March 25. Organizers say that while abortion has not yet been legalized in Peru, as is the case in many Latin American nations, various attempts have been made to legalize it and to place it under the banner of "sexual and reproductive rights."
The campaign involves 40 days (February 14 – March 25) in which the Prayer for Life by John Paul II, and the Rosary, are prayed each day. In addition, it is also asked that participants fast (preferably on Fridays), that life may always be respected. Those registered in the campaign will receive a daily message with several commentaries on the progress of the campaign and information on the various activities being organized for the Day of the Unborn Child.
(RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2009)
Links:
For more information
http://www.ceprofarena.blogspot.com
Links:
For more information
http://www.travesiaporlavida.blogspot.com
