Tens of thousands turn out for Peruvian pro-life march

Piura, Peru, Apr 11, 2013 / 11:07 am

Nearly 30,000 people took part in a demonstration in the northern Peruvian city of Piura on April 6 to voice opposition to attempts to legalize abortion in the country.

At the conclusion of the march, Archbishop Jose Antonio Eguren of Piura thanked the thousands of faithful for attending and reiterated the Church's commitment to proclaim "the sacred and inviolable character of each human life from conception to natural death."

The right to life is a truth "written in human nature itself," the archbishop said as he denounced attempts by the UN Human Rights Commission to legalize abortion in Peru in cases of rape and incest.

"At this time in which there is a danger of nuclear war between the two Koreas, in which there is hunger in Africa and other regions of the world, in which there are wars, worldwide terrorism and other very grave international problems, the UN is worried about the promotion of abortion in Peru," he said.

Archbishop Eguren emphasized that the UN commission was "created to watch out for the most innocent and vulnerable," which by its description should protect the unborn from abortion.

"The Church," he added, "can never abandon the human person, especially the unborn child, who is the poorest of the poor and doesn't even have a voice to defend itself."

During the march, Archbishop Eguren blessed 300 pregnant women. He also prayed from women who wish to have a child but are unable to, as well as for those who have undergone an abortion, that they may experience the Lord's mercy, healing and peace.