NEW YORK -- March 25 will mark the 20th anniversary of the publication of Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), the foundational document for the pro-life efforts of Christian believers.
Pope St. John Paul II wrote the encyclical in 1995 to stir the world "to activate a great campaign in support of life” (EV #95) and to end the "war of the powerful against the weak" (EV #12).
“The worldwide focus on this important anniversary will give pro-lifers an opportunity to demonstrate how far we have come in 20 years to protect the lives of the unborn, through legislation, education, and direct intervention, and to bring healing to those wounded by abortion,” said Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life. “And it will also give us a worldwide platform for insisting that we have much farther to go in our ultimate goal of ending abortion and resisting efforts to see the elderly and infirm as burdens.”
Father Pavone and Priests for Life have been invited by the Vatican to take part in a special prayer vigil in Rome on March 24 to commemorate the anniversary. Priests for Life urges dioceses, churches and families to join these special prayers wherever they are.
“Prayer is the most important weapon we have to fight the war on life,” said Father Pavone, who was called to work in the Vatican under Pope St. John Paul in the years immediately following the publication of the encyclical.
Priests for Life published a Study Guide to Evangelium Vitae that is designed to be used by an individual or group as a side-by-side companion with the encyclical itself.
“Each section of the encyclical should be prayerfully read, followed by use of the study guide as a springboard to delve more deeply into the text and to stimulate reflection and discussion,” Father Pavone said.
Powerful tools for understanding and celebrating Evangelium Vitae may be found at www.prolifeteachings.com, which includes a link for ordering the study guide.
“We can end abortion and euthanasia in our lifetime,” Father Pavone said. “Evangelium Vitae can help show us the way.”
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.