At their Autumn General Meeting, which concluded yesterday in Maynooth, Bishops reflected on the Prayer for Our Earth from Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’, an excerpt of which reads:
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
In this context, and mindful of the current public discussion regarding article 40.3.3 of the Constitution of Ireland, bishops discussed the sanctity of human life at all stages.
Bishops said that a truly compassionate society promotes care and protection of all unborn human life and recognises the equal right to life of the mother. Bishops noted that this is precisely the purpose of article 40.3.3. Bishops also acknowledged, with gratitude, the challenging but important work of Cura, the crisis pregnancy agency of the Bishops’ Conference which marks forty years of service in 2017.
October is the month of the Holy Rosary. When we pray the Rosary we meditate on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the life of the Holy Family. Guided by Pope Francis who has recommended the Rosary as a form of “spiritual medicine” saying, “it is good for your soul, for your whole life”, bishops invite families, parishes and religious congregations to pray the Rosary during October for the protection of human life from the moment of conception until natural death.
ENDS