Jan 5, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Archbishop Agustin Garcia-Gasco of Valencia, Spain, has announced that hundreds of women who chose life rather than abortion for their children will be eligible for full scholarships at Catholic educational institutions.
The archbishop made the announcement during a Christmas visit to a women’s shelter founded and operated by the Servants of the Passion for over 69 years.
The shelter provides assistance to 21 pregnant women and mothers of small children who are poor, lack family support or are victims of abuse. Aurora Gallego, director of the shelter, said its mission is to work to “deepen in women the value of life and their self esteem as persons.”
The scholarships will benefit women at the shelter, their children and those who have been in residence there in the past, totaling more than 15,000 people. Mothers will be able to study at the Catholic University of Valencia, at diocesan schools and other educational centers associated with the Church.
Gallego added that the women currently in residence at the shelter received the news “with much enthusiasm and expectation as many of them wish to get an education and work towards a future in the professional world.”