Permit me to add a bit more information to the story “The Day of the Unborn” (March 23-29).
As the article correctly pointed out, the Catholic world has, for some years now, expressed the conviction that the Feast of the Annunciation should be celebrated with greater solemnity and its pro-life dimensions highlighted. This theme was emphasized in a special statement signed by about 75 national Catholic leaders a few years ago. The statement was issued by Priests for Life, Human Life International and the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It states, in part:
“As Catholic leaders at a time when our society is beset with the evil of abortion, and when the human embryo is treated as a mere object for scientific research, we believe that the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation is more important than ever. By celebrating this feast with special solemnity, and by spending more time meditating on its doctrinal and spiritual lessons, the faithful can be even more solidly rooted in their pro-life convictions and spurred on to effective action in defense of life.”
The full text and signers can be found at www.priestsforlife.org/annunciation.htm. The statement was reissued again this year and accompanied with a national celebration on March 25 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C..
I am grateful to the Register for playing an important role in drawing attention to this current trend within the Church.
FATHER FRANK PAVONE
New York