Intercessions for Life
March 2004
Spanish Version
For all children who died from abortion this weekend:
that they may rest in the loving arms of the God who made them;
We pray to the Lord:
For doctors and nurses who perform abortions:
that this Lenten season may inspire within them a
burning love for all life, even the smallest and hardest to see;
We pray to the Lord:
For those whom we have chosen to govern us:
that our president, our governor, and our legislators
may speak only the truth and preserve the rights
of every human being from conception to natural death;
We pray to the Lord:
For the youngest of mothers and fathers:
that God might teach us how to love and support them
to do the very best thing for their newborn children;
We pray to the Lord:
Let us highlight one of the most influential Christian values in the simplicity and poverty of Bethlehem, God gave back dignity to every human being's existence. He offered to all people the possibility to participate in his same divine life. May this immeasurable gift always find hearts ready to receive it! — Pope John Paul II (Christmas Mass with Roman University Students, 2003)
The responsibility to defend human life in all its stages falls upon all Catholic citizens. It falls, with particular weight, upon Catholic politicians.
— Most Rev. Raymond Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis (formerly Bishop of La Crosse), A Pastoral Letter: On the Dignity of Human Life and Civic Responsibility, November 23, 2003
As Americans, we are led by the power of our conscience and the history of our country to defend and promote the dignity and rights of all people. Each person, however frail or defenseless, has a place and a purpose in this world.
— President George W. Bush, Proclamation of National Sanctity of Human Life Day, January 18, 2004
Concern for the plight of the poor must be accompanied by a profound respect for the dignity of all human life. Otherwise, it can be corrupted and all too easily embrace procured abortion and euthanasia as acts of compassion toward the suffering. But it is a false compassion, which seeks to lessen human suffering by eliminating those who suffer. When we allow the killing of those most in need, we do not love the poor as Jesus did, who gave His life as a ransom for many. — Most Rev. Raymond Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis (formerly Bishop of La Crosse), A Pastoral Letter: On the Dignity of Human Life and Civic
Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or sovereign.
— Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, letter to the U.S. Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade decision, February 1994
Prepared by the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities