International Events

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June 2011

June 11, 2011 – The United Nations held a General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AIDS June 8 -10 in NY. Member States came together ten years after the adoption of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and five years after the adoption of the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, to review progress and chart the future course of the global AIDS. The Holy See Mission was actively involved in the assembly meeting and Professor Jane Adolphe, Associate Professor of Law at Ave Maria School of Law and a member of the Holy See Delegation, stated that the Holy See “delegation remains committed to achieving the goal of halting and reversing the spread of HIV by promoting the only universally effective, safe and affordable means of halting the spread of the disease: abstinence before marriage and mutual fidelity within marriage, avoiding risk taking and irresponsible behaviors and promoting universal access to drugs which prevent the spread of HIV from mother-to-child”. For the full Holy See statement please click here.  For more information from the UN on the High-Level Meeting on AIDS click here.

June 9, 2011 – The Holy See Mission’s Path to Peace Gala Dinner drew record attendance at the New York Athletic Club. Fr. Frank Pavone was again pleased to support the important work of the Path to Peace Foundation this year by sending Bob Lalonde, Priests for Life’s representative to the UN to the event. The Path to Peace Foundation was established by Cardinal Renato Martino, former Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, to support the activities of the Holy See Mission. Archbishop Chullikatt, the current Permanent Observer and Cardinal Martino enthralled the capacity crowd with stories of their personal visits with Pope John Paul II. Please click here to view pictures and press release.

April 2011

Priests for Life is actively participating in the 44th Commission on Population and Development taking place April 11-15. More on the conference here.  Fr. Frank Pavone wholeheartedly came out in support of yesterday’s statement by H.E. Archbishop Francis A. Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See “in favor of the adoption of policies which encourage marriages that are open to and welcome children, and which also provide families the necessary assistance in bearing and rearing children, including those with large families”.. For the full statement read here.

Priests for Life participated in the Holy See’s kick-off side event marking the start of the 44th Session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations in NY with a panel discussion on Secure Human Development: Marriage, Family, Community. H.E. Archbishop Francis A. Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations gave the opening remarks reaffirming Church teaching that “…for integral human development to take place, we must put people first. We must respect the inherent dignity of each and every person, and we must recognize that the true measure of authentic development in any society is how much it protects, respects and promotes all human life including the unborn, the disabled, the elderly, and all who are suffering.” Full statement here.

March 2011

Priests for Life attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women Click here for pictures.

February 2011

Priests for Life assists the Pontifical Academy for Life in Rome

The week of February 21, three members of the Priests for Life Pastoral Team travelled to Rome for the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Fr. Frank Pavone, who is a member of the Academy, along with Dr. Theresa Burke and Janet Morana participated in the meeting from Thursday to Saturday. The Assembly, bringing members from around the world, focused, among other themes, on post-abortion trauma and healing. The Pontifical Academy for Life, which engages in research on life issues at the service of the Holy See, asked Dr. Theresa Burke to give the presentation on what the scientific literature says about the damage abortion does. Click here for pictures.

November 2010

Fr. Frank joins Pope at Prayer Vigil in Rome - November 26-29

Fr. Frank Pavone attended the Papal Prayer Vigil for Nascent Human Life at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. Click here for more info and pictures.

Priests for Life travels to the International Theological Institute in Vienna, Austria – November 18-20

In November 2010, Fr. Frank Pavone, Janet Morana, and Dr Theresa and Kevin Burke traveled to Vienna, Austria to address the International Theological Institute and meet with the bishops of Austria. Click here for pictures.

September 2010

Dr. Theresa Burke and Bob Lalonde in Australia

After urgent requests from New Zealand and Australia, Fr. Pavone sent Bob Lalonde and Theresa Burke to reenergize the prolife movement and to continue to build on our Outreach Ministries in that part of the world. Click here for pictures and more info on the conference.

August 2010

Priests for Life travels to Rome and Castel Gandolfo Click here for pictures.

Fr. Frank Pavone and Pope Benedict XVI - August 29

Cardinal Schonborn of Austria and Fr. Frank Pavone gave Pope Benedict XVI a brief update about the work of Priests for Life, with special focus on the post-abortion healing work.  They spoke with him at his summer palace at Castel Gandolfo. Click here for pictures.

Dr. Alveda King speaks at the European Parliament on Human Dignity – August 19

Dr. Alveda King was the featured speaker at events at the European Parliament in Brussels, at Parliament in Westminster and in Dublin on Civil Rights, Human Dignity and Faith. Lawmakers were addressed at the events organized by Working Groups on Human Dignity. Click here for pictures and her speech.

Dr. Alveda King warmly received in Dublin – August 19

Dr. Alveda King took the message that the civil rights movement of today is the pro-life movement to Dublin at the invitation of Gay Mitchell, Member of the European Parliament from Ireland. Mr. Mitchell warmly welcomed Dr. King and introduced her to members of the Irish Parliament, including Enda Kenny, leader of the Fine Gael party. Click here for pictures and more info on her trip.

July 2010

Rachel's Vineyard Retreats begin in Germany

The first Rachel's Vineyard retreat in Hildesheim Germany coordinated by Anne Arthur was held in July 2010. Click here for pictures. 

May 2010

Priests for Life at Heartbeat International Conference - May 18-20

Many of our Priests and Pastoral Associates attended the Heartbeat Internationsal Conference in Orlando, FL. Click here for pictures.

Janet Morana in Vienna

Janet Morana traveled to Vienna to speak to the students at the International Theological Institute upon invite from the founder, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, after his visit to New York in February. Click here for pictures.

 March 2010 

Janet Morana travels to Rome to speak to the Pontifical Council for the Family

Janet Morana and other Priests for Life staff traveled to Rome in late March 2010 to attend the Pontificium Consilium Pro Familia Pro-Life Leaders International Study Seminar. Janet gave a presentation titled, Report on the Pro-Life Movement in North America. Click here for Janet's presentation and pictures.

Dr. Alveda King at the United Nations – March 8

On March 8, 2010, Dr. Alveda King addressed the United Nations on the topic of Motherhood on the occasion of International Woman's Day. Click here for Dr. King's speech and pictures. 

February 2010

 Cardinal Christoph Schönborn Visits Priests for Life Headquarters

Fr. Frank Pavone concelebrated Mass with Cardinal Schönborn at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, NY. Fr. Frank, Janet Morana, Bob Lalonde, and Margaret Sciarrino attended a dinner for Cardinal Schönborn and the International Theological Institute.  Click here for pictures.

 Fr. Pavone dispatched international outreach team to Africa - January 2010 - [part 1]; [part 2]; [part 3]

November 30-December 3, 2009: Priests for Life in Manila, Philippines for the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life 2009 National Conference .  Read updates and see photos: [part 1]; [part 2]; [part 3]

November 4-6, 2009: Priests for Life was in Spain where the Abortion Debate is Making International Headlines .  Read updates and see photos: [Part 1]; [Part 2]; [Part 3]

August 2009: Rachel's Vineyard holds training conference in London

August 10-12, 2009

Priests for Life Co-Sponsored the World Congress of Families V, Amsterdam

The World Congress of Families V opened on August 10 in Amsterdam with a blockbuster list of internationally renowned speakers including our very own Janet Morana and participants from all around the world. Fr. Frank Pavone was pleased to have Priests for Life co-sponsor this important gathering and also to host a meeting for the leadership of the international pro-life movement.

Highlights of the first day included Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA concelebrating Mass for international guests and an interview by Radio Netherlands of Fr. Carlos Simon Vazquez, Deputy Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family, at the Priests for Life exhibit booth and international outreach desk. While international and Dutch press reported on Priests for Life activities and materials, participants from Spain, France, Nigeria, Kenya, Thailand, Romania, Mexico and Canada among other countries expressed appreciation for Priests for Life's ministries including Rachel's Vineyard and the Silent No More Awareness campaign. Many picked up and wore our buttons "Women Do Regret Abortion" and "I Regret Lost Fatherhood."

Priests for Life was invited by the Vatican's Council of the Family to attend the conference and to continue to spread its much needed gospel of life to every corner of the world.

Day 2 of the World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam brought many blessings. Along with Janet Morana's arrival, Priests for Life has generated much international press. Given Priests for Life's reputation we have literally had back-to-back interviews with French, Dutch and Swedish radio and print journalists.

After stimulating talks on such topics as The Influence of Modern Media on the Family and The Social and Economic Effects of Declining Birthrates, the day ended with Priests for Life's reception for international pro-life leaders from every continent who discussed future collaborative efforts and are taking our materials back to their home countries.

The World Congress of Families wound up its 5th international conference with a final day of experts speaking on critical topics such as The Influence of the United Nations on Families Around the World, How Cloning and Stem Cell Research Affect Family Life and Euthanasia and Palliative Care.

Janet Morana, co-founder of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Executive Director of Priests for Life, gave a motivating, inspirational talk (see link above) on How Life Issues Affect Women. She drew great interest and many questions about how to start campaigns in individual countries. Read the presentation version or the full version of her talk.

Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA concelebrated Mass with bishops from The Netherlands and Spain and led the liturgical music daily.

Our Priests for Life international outreach desk was completely depleted of all the materials we brought and we even ended up donating luggage for Fr John of Nigeria to carry away the last few books, CDs, and brochures.

PFL commends the organizers of the WCF for their defense of the family and the right to life. Fr Pavone was honored to support this global initiative and pleased by the growing international support for our various ministries.

June 2009

Priests for Life was in Spain for the Re-Consecration of the country to the Sacred Heart and the start of the 'Year for Priests'.  Click here for more information.

March 2009

Fr. Denis Wilde in Malta

Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA, Associate Director, travelled to Malta to have various meetings and preaching and teaching the Gospel of Life to students, priests and laity. After Malta he will travel to Rome.  Click here for photos.

March 6-8, 2009

Priests for Life Co-Sponsored 128 Students at 2nd International Student Pro-Life Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland

“My value is not based on how I was conceived.” -Rebecca Kiessling

In conjunction with the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), Priests for Life co-sponsored 128 students attending the 2nd International Student Pro-Life Conference on March 6-8, 2009 in Edinburgh, Scotland. This dynamic event featured personal stories behind the “hard cases” of abortion and focused on the theme “I Am Here.” Keynote international pro-life speaker Rebecca Kiessling, who was conceived after her mother was raped, was joined by professionals in Bioethics and Post Abortion Counseling. Margaret Cuthill, the Regional Coordinator for Priests for Life’s Silent No More Awareness Campaign, gave a testimonial “I chose abortion”. In addition to being a terrific educational opportunity, the conference networks pro-lifers ages 17 to 35 years from around the world. For more information, please visit the conference website. You can read Margaret Cuthill’s testimony online.

January 2009

In January 2009, Priests for Life participated in the Vatican's VI World Meeting of Families in Mexico City by meeting with pro-life leaders, bishops and cardinals from around the world; formally addressing approximately 12,000 congress participants; and distributing thousands of pro-life brochures, signs and prayer cards.  See our daily reports and gallery of photos by clicking here.  Read (in English or Spanish) of the values and objectives of the meeting, Pope Benedict XVI's address and the press releases at http://www.emf2009.com. 
 

Our International Resources

The mission of Priests for Life, like the Church itself, is international in scope. Below are links to several very important resources that assist pro-lifers in different countries to fight the scourge of abortion.

We have always enjoyed the active support of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is the Holy Father's office at the Vatican entrusted with the coordination and encouragement of ministries for life and family throughout the world. Fr. Pavone was appointed as an Official at the Pontifical Council for the Family in 1997.

Leaders, bishops, and priests from many nations continue to approach us for assistance in establishing "Priests for Life" ministries as well as our other ministries in their own countries. Priests for Life Canada (Prêtres Pro-Vie Canada) was the first to formally establish such an entity. Our priests and leaders travel extensively to many countries and we send pro-life educational materials to every corner of the globe on a daily basis.

We have a Multilingual Outreach offering publications and materials in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Polish. Through Fr. Pavone’s Defending Life television series broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), we instruct millions in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Pacific Rim on the scriptural, medical, psychological and legal aspects of defeating abortion and building a Culture of Life. (See EWTN Television Schedules for program times.)

Additionally, our Rachel’s Vineyard and Silent No More ministries have spread to every populated continent by working hand-in-hand with local lay leaders and clergy. Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats offer healing after abortion for women and men. The Silent No More Awareness Campaign holds events at which women and publicly speak out about the devastating emotional, psychological and physical impact that abortion has on them and their families. The Campaign maintains a network of regional coordinators in North America, Europe, Africa and Oceania

Priests for Life is deeply committed to the unity of the pro-life movement and actively collaborates with national and local groups. We have developed an extensive list of organizations comprising the International Pro-Life Community as a service to those seeking information about pro-life activities and developments in their own country, state or city. Additionally, we have assembled daily abortion news sources providing a global perspective of our mission.

Finally, our work at the United Nations began in 2003 when Priests for Life became a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. As an NGO, Priests for Life supports international policies protecting the dignity of human life at all stages.