ROME MARCH FOR LIFE 2021
For a culture that cherishes every life without compromise
O
n 22 May, the Rome March for Life returned to the public square at the heart of Christendom with great success and was joined by leading politicians and prelates including His Eminence Cardinal Burke. Among the speakers were Monsignor Antonio Suetta, the Bishop of Ventimiglia-Sanremo, John Smeaton, CEO of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, Janusz Kotański, the Polish ambassador to the Holy See and Eduard Habsburg, the ambassador to the Holy See from Hungary, followed by moving personal testimonies. This was the tenth March on the public square (leaving aside the one last year when we had to give our witness online). On the day of the march, Via dei Fori Imperiali was truly a glorious sight: crowded with children, families, religious and pro-life people against the dramatic backdrop of the Colosseum. Although the traditional march had to be replaced with a stationary demonstration as Italy is only beginning to relax its Covid restrictions, it was clear to all present that the March for Life is not about marching but about S UM ME R 2 021
its message given in the public square by the people who truly believe in it: “Yes to life from conception without exception or compromise.” On the eve of the march, His Eminence Cardinal Burke celebrated Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, accompanied by the choir of Msgr. Pablo Colino, former director of the Vatican Julia Chapel. His Eminence George Cardinal Pell as well as other prelates and clergy were also present. Leading a meditation before the Benediction, Cardinal Burke urged the faithful to pray “that the respect, protection and care of every human life, created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the outpouring of the Precious Blood of God the Incarnate Son, be restored”. And added: “Let us go, with our hearts united with the heart of the Lord, under His banner and not behind the slogans of the world. Yes, the battle is tough. Yes, we feel like David in front of Goliath. But Christ is here, especially in the Blessed Sacra45
