|
Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus
Message
On Pro-life Day in Italy
"Must Not Be Denied to Anyone"
H.H. Benedict XVI
February 4, 2007
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Today Pro-life Day is being observed in Italy, promoted by the
episcopal conference with the theme "Love and Desire Life."
I cordially greet all those who have gathered in St. Peter's Square
to witness to their commitment in favor of life, from conception
until natural death. I join the Italian bishops to renew the appeal,
launched several times also by my venerated predecessors, to all men
and women of good will to receive the great and mysterious gift of
life.
Life, which is the work of God, must not be denied to any one, not
even the smallest and defenseless newborn, and much less so when he
has serious handicaps. At the same time, echoing the pastors of the
Church in Italy, I urge you not to fall into the deception of
thinking that one can dispose of life to the point of "legitimizing
its interruption with euthanasia, masking it perhaps with a veil of
human mercy."
The "Week of Life and Family" begins today in the Diocese of Rome,
an important occasion to pray and reflect on the family, which is
the "cradle" of life and of every vocation.
We know well that the family, based on marriage, constitutes the
natural environment for the birth and education of children and,
therefore, to ensure the future of the whole of humanity.
However, we also know that it is going through a profound crisis and
that it must face numerous challenges.
Therefore, it is necessary to defend, protect and value it in its
unique and irreplaceable character. If this commitment is first of
all the duty of spouses, it is also a priority duty of the Church
and of all public institutions to support the family through
pastoral and political initiatives, which take into account the real
needs of spouses, of the elderly and of the new generations.
A peaceful family atmosphere, enlightened by faith and the holy fear
of God, also favors the rise and flowering of vocations at the
service of the Gospel. I am referring in particular, not only to
those called to follow Christ on the path of the priesthood, but
also to men and women religious, consecrated persons, whom we
remembered last Friday on the World Day of Consecrated Life.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us pray so that with a constant
effort in favor of life and of the family our communities may become
places of communion and hope, in which is renewed, despite the many
difficulties, the great "yes" of authentic love to the reality of
the human being and of the family, according to the original plan of
God.
Let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of Mary Most Holy,
that respect will grow for the sacred character of life, that there
will be ever greater awareness of genuine family needs, and that the
number will increase of those who contribute to bring about in the
world the civilization of love.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in six
languages. In English, he said:]
I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors
gathered for today's Angelus. My special greeting goes to the
government officials from Sri Lanka engaged in the reconstruction of
areas stuck by the tsunami. Today's Gospel shows us the great
spiritual fruitfulness that accompanies our whole hearted decision
to answer the Lord's call. May you and your families be strengthened
in faith and confident hope in God's promises!
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Look at the One they
Pierced!
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
