Spanish archbishop urges prayers for life during abortion congress

Madrid, Spain, Oct 8, 2010 / 11:52 am

Archbishop Juan Jose Asenjo of Seville is encouraging Catholics in Spain to pray for the pro-life cause on October 21-23. During that time, he explained, an international abortion congress will be taking place in the city.

“Some of you have asked me to do everything I can to stop it. As you can imagine, it is not in my power to stop such an event, but I do have the duty to illuminate the consciences of our faithful in regards to it,” the archbishop said.

He noted that even though abortion is legal, it is not moral. “Abortion is always immoral, an objective evil. It is not progress, but rather regression. It is an ‘abominable crime,’ as stated by the Second Vatican Council,” he said.

The archbishop encouraged Catholics to renew their commitment to pray for the defense of human life. “I suggest that priests pray for this intention at Mass and during the Rosary at their parishes during the dates of this congress.” The prelate also called for prayers before the Blessed Sacrament.

“I also make the same request to our cloistered sisters, religious communities and apostolic groups and movements,” he said.

Archbishop Asenjo recalled that “in December 2007, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution, inviting member states to institute a moratorium in the application of the death penalty. Lord willing the day will come when abortion will be outlawed and we will all recognize with shame the immense and tragic error committed in the 20th and 21st centuries by humanity.”