March for life Budapest: December 28th, Feast of the Holy Innocents

The march is advertised under the banner: PEACE IN THE WOMB! march for abolition of the legalised genocide in Hungary.

December 28th the Feast of the Holy Innocents has been chosen as a memorial day for the unborn babies whose lives have been terminated by abortion in Hungary. 

The advertisement for the march tells us that: Anti-life policies have resulted in the killing of more than 6 million unborn children and has thus deeply damaged many millions of families. 

The march will commence at 14:00 p.m. and the leaders will mark the losses by citing the children’s names and tolling a bell. The march will commence from Square Március 15. tér (downtown) and will proceed to King Saint Steven Memorial and then to the palace of the state-president (castle-district), asking him to proclaim an act of “amnesty” for the innocent children before birth from 1 January, 2012.

"Human dignity is inviolable. Everyone has the right to life and human dignity, the life of a foetus will be protected from conception.” (II. Article of the Constitution of Hungary,  25. April 2011. )

 

The programme sets out the following:

PROCESSION

13:00 Church service and holy mass in the nearby churches. Blessing to the roses in the Roman Catholic Main Church in the city center named after Our Lady (Nagyboldogasszony).

14:00 Start from square Március 15. tér to the Chain-bridge („Lánc-híd”).

14:40 Throwing roses into the Danube, we mourn the children-victims killed before their births during the era of the national genocide, we are praying for reconciliation of their parents who felt them as burdens, for the ob-gyns who executed the death-sentences of the genocide, for those who as bystanders were just watching the killing of people without protesting against it, and for the politicians who declared war against the fertility of their own nation.

15:00 Via Clark Ádám tér – Fő u. – Apor Péter u. –  Hunyadi János út – Jezsuita lépcső we proceed to the sculpture of King Saint Steven at the square of the Holy Trinity („Szentháromság tér”).

15:20  600 red roses – symbolising the basic, procreative law of nature and the Heavenly Constitution which is fostering our survival – will be put to the feet of King Saint Steven. Singing the Hymn:

Castle once, now heap of stones;

Fled are all its graces,

Death-cries, rattles, sighs and groans

Occupy their places.

Ah but liberty disdains

Veins that death must vanquish,

Red-eyed orphans in their chain.

 15:45 Start at Jezsuita lépcső – Csónak u.– Színház u. walk to the palace of the state-president at „Szent György tér” square.

16:00 Speech and prayer: the new constitution can be beneficial if it guarantees the right to life for unborn children. On behalf of the Holy Crown, we ask Pál Schmidt, state-president of Republic of Hungary to use his moral and political clout as he was the one that finished the era of Hungarian genocide on the 4th of June, 1956 and to change the words of the new constitution into an act by declaring „amnesty” for unborn children before 1st of January 2012! We ask the lawmakers that the „law” on the protection of unborn children (from year 1992., Nr. LXXXIX) – which is against life and common good – be adjusted to the basic natural law pertaining to the Heavenly Constitution.

16:30 Singing the Hymn:

With the Magyar take your stand,

Lord, in his vain struggles,

Shield him with your mighty hand

From that sea of troubles.

He whom ill-luck long has cursed

This year grant him pleasure,

He has suffered with the worst

Time beyond all measure!

18:00 – 21:00 Prayer, reconciliation and Holy Mass for Life by bishop (Cave-Church run by Paulins, Square Gellért tér)

The event is hosted by the following organisations, Alliance of Christian Intellectuals, Alpha Alliance, Human Life International – Europe, National Alliance of Large Families, Peace in the Womb, Pro-Life Forum, Society of Catholic Doctors named after Saint Luke, Secular Order of Franciscans, Society of Christian Medical Doctors in Hungary, Union of Large Families

CONTACT  Imre Téglásy, Ph.D.

e-mail: alfateglasy@t-email.hu, cellular: +36 30 9226775, www.yesforhungary.eu

                                                                                   

INFORMATION!  Parking space for coaches and cars at the Pest-side of the bridge called  Erzsébet-híd (Elisabeth-bridge). The route is 2.5 kilometesr long, a comfortable walk of 70 minutes. Those joining the event outside the procession can use public transport (a blue bus, nr. „16” starting from the square in downtown („Deák tér”) or from the squre called „Széll Kálmán tér”) You have to get off at the stop called „Szentháromság tér” („Holy Trinity”), or at the stop called „Palota út” („Palace street”). There is an elevator called ”gyorslift” or „sikló” from the „Lánchíd” (Chain-bridge) to the spot, too.

Protest over closure of Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See

Despite the icy cold weather and the occasional blustery shower of rain, approximately two hundred people gathered at Dáil Éireann, in Kildare Street, Dublin, on Thursday afternoon, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.   Those present travelled from many parts of Ireland in answer to a call from the Christian Solidarity Party to protest against the closure of Ireland’s Embassy to the Vatican by the coalition Government – ostensibly for economic reasons!   

Cardinal Sean Brady at the time of the announcement of the closure, expressed his "profound disappointment"about the move and continued

"This decision seems to show little regard for the important role played by the Holy See in international relations and of the historic ties between the Irish people and the Holy See over many centuries,"

The Irish Embassy to the Holy See was established in 1929, and it was one of the first resident missions to be established by the Irish Government.  The Papal Nuncio from the Vatican has always been regarded as the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps here.  Ireland’s diplomatic connection with the Vatican has now been downgraded to that of a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs being appointed to deal with Vatican affairs.   A physical presence in Rome is no longer in existence.    

There has been much criticism of this move, which is seen as a snub to Pope Benedict, and to the Church.   Both clerical and secular writers have pointed out that in breaking direct diplomatic links with the Holy See the Irish Government has, as the saying goes, ‘cut off its nose to spite its face’, particularly – from a purely worldly point of view – as the Vatican is such an important ‘listening post’ in diplomatic circles worldwide.

According to a Reuters report at the time of the announcement of the closure “Dublin said it was closing its mission to the Vatican along with those in Iran and East Timor to help meet its fiscal goals under an EU-IMF bailout. The closures will save the government 1.25 million euros ($1.725 million) a year.”

It is interesting to note that according to the Irish Aid website the Irish Government through Irish Aid has since 2006 donated almost €30 million to the pro-abortion UNFPA and according to a speech given by Minister of State Jan O'Sullivan at an Irish Family Planning  Association (IFPA) event to launch the UNFPA 2011 State of Population Report,  

"UNFPA will continue to be a priority partner for Irish Aid and we look forward to work ever more closely with them in them in the run-up to the 2015 deadline for meeting the Millennium Development Goals."

It is a very sad day in which Ireland, which has stood for so long against the evil of abortion can find tens of millions to support UNFPA which assists in the termination of unborn lives in developing countries, but cannot find the money to keep the Holy See embassy open.

A Voice for Life: New Pro-life Movie on the life of abortion survivor Melissa Ohden

Christian Newswire reports Over 1.2 million children lose their lives to abortion every year in the United States alone. Over 53 million children have lost their lives to abortion in the United States since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Many know the sad reality of these statistics, but most don't know the amazing reality that sometimes children survive failed abortions and exist in our world today. Melissa Ohden, a 34-year-old international pro-life speaker and advocate, wife and mother, is one such survivor.

Melissa's powerful story of surviving a failed saline infusion abortion in 1977, of overcoming the concerns regarding her ability to survive past infancy and go on to lead a "normal" life, of being adopted into a loving family that supported her in her search for her biological family and in her struggle to face the reality of her life as an abortion survivor to ultimately become a voice for the unborn, is featured in the newly released pro-life documentary, A Voice for Life.

A Voice for Life became a reality when Melissa Ohden, Steve Feazel and Gunther Meisse II combined their talents to present a miraculous message of life. This unique film views abortion through the eyes of Melissa Ohden who is an abortion survivor. Producer and writer, Steve Feazel met Melissa when both were appearing on a TV talk show in Pittsburgh. Steve was there promoting another documentary when he heard Melissa tell her story.

Featuring pro-life leaders and advocates including Father Frank Pavone, Alveda King, Dr. John Willke, Kevin and Theresa Burke, and Michael Clancy, A Voice for Life has premiered at events for Heartbeat International and National Right to Life to great acclaim. The Dove Foundation review for the documentary echoes the sentiments of individuals and organizations that have been moved by the film and see its' value in promoting the sanctity of life: "We highly recommend this inspirational and remarkable DVD and gladly award it our Dove 'Family-Approved' Seal in addition to five Doves, our highest level."

A Voice for Life continues to garner awards on an international level, including the Transforming Stories International Film Festival in South Africa, and the Redemptive Film Festival in Virginia Beach, where it received the highest honor. More importantly, to the creative team of A Voice for Life, Steve Feazel, Gunther Meisse, and Melissa Ohden, the pro-life film is making an impact in the world, touching hearts changing minds, and bringing hope and healing to individuals who have been devastated by abortion.

The soul-baring testimonies of numerous women and a man who have experienced an abortion in their lives, the inspirational testimony of a young woman who stood strong in her beliefs about the sanctity of life in the face of a teenage pregnancy, the heart-warming testimonies of a birthmother and adoptive mother regarding their open adoption, and the testimonies of pregnancy center staff and pro-life advocates woven throughout Melissa's miraculous story, provide an in-depth perspective to abortion that is both informing and convicting people around the world.

As one such reviewer, Edwin L. Carpenter, stated, "Women share their emotions from post-abortions and reflect guilt but the value of a life lesson learned. The viewer of this DVD will marvel at God's grace as Melissa Ohden reflects forgiveness and her belief that God spared her for a purpose."

In addition to the 58 minute documentary, a short, 9 minute film, featuring Melissa as narrator, has also been released for pregnancy centers and other organizations that minister to abortion vulnerable women to utilize as a resource in their life-saving, life-transforming work. Melissa's powerful message to women in this video as both a survivor and a mother, herself, is beyond description. To view the trailer of the short resource video, visit www.avoiceforlife.com/trailer.html.

To join the churches, pro-life and Christian organizations and individuals who have been positively impacted by A Voice for Life, please visit www.avoiceforlife.com to view the trailer and purchase the film. For more information on Melissa Ohden and her ministry, please visit www.melissaohden.com.

Attn. Media: To schedule an interview with Melissa Ohden contact Gloria Leyda, Ambassador Speakers Bureau, 615-370-4700; gloria@ambassadorspeakers.com.

Irish Babies being aborted in UK while childless couples in Ireland seek to adopt abroad

A feature entitled ‘From the Archives’ that appeared in the Irish Times newspaper recently throws an interesting light on society in general in Ireland over sixty years ago, and particularly on the plight of children born to Irish mothers outside wedlock at that time.  The piece, an editorial that appeared in the newspaper in 1949, tells us that 

‘The lot of the unwanted legitimate child is hard.  That of the unwanted illegitimate child is vastly harder.  The charge of infanticide is heard with monotonous regularity in our Irish Courts, but often, when a terrified mother shrinks from so dreadful a crime and consents to carry the stigma of her shame, her unwanted child almost has reason to regret that he had not been granted the mercy of a quick death.’  Three possibilities are suggested for the mother – to ‘farm out’ her child to some family that would be willing to raise him (often a miserable existence); to put her child into an institution (again, not always an ideal solution); and, thirdly, to put her child up for adoption.  ‘She may be put in touch with some decent, childless and frequently well-to-do family that is anxious to adopt the child and bring him, or her, up as its own.’

The editorial continues with a remarkable comment that is extremely relevant to today’s world, where childless couples are willing to go to any lengths to obtain a child – be it IVF and the financial and physical cost to the woman – or be it going through all the hassle and expense of adopting a child from Russia, Vietnam, China, or wherever, and the sometimes dubious advantage to the child in question.

The editorial says that the possibility of adoption is ‘infinitely the best solution of the three.  It is well known that there are many thousands of childless couples in Ireland who would gladly bring up such a child as their own, give him every advantage within their means, endow him with their name and social position, and leave him their money.’

Why do the childless couples of Ireland have to resort to IVF and other AHR (assisted human reproduction) procedures, or why do they have to go abroad to other countries to adopt a child today?     If the thousands of Irish babies who are killed by abortion every year were alive today would they not bring happiness to so many childless couples, and at the same time be allowed to live the life that God intended for them.

The editorial ended by commenting on a problem involved with the process of adoption at that time – the fact that there was no possibility of legally adopting a child.    A small matter, but one that has been resolved in the intervening years through appropriate legislation. 

Caring for the terminally ill

The Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima (also known as the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne) in Hawthorne, north of New York City, is a congregation founded around the beginning of the 1900s by a lady named Rose Hawthorne (she was a daughter of the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter).  The main purpose in establishing the congregation was to care for elderly, and not so elderly, people, who are terminally ill.      

The Sisters provide direct care for their patients, they do not charge a fee, and they do not accept government funds or insurance reimbursements.    How do they manage this?  ‘We do the best we can and trust the rest to the Lord’, the Superior General says.   Approximately one hundred people are cared for by the Sisters, in Hawthorne, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and in Kisumu (Kenya, East Africa).   Sister Alma Marie, the vocations director of the Congregation, says: ‘Many come here with the fear of dying, of being alone.  When we care for them, we can see the transformation.   We help them live the life that God has given them to the fullest.  We celebrate life.’ 

One of the residents, who had previously been cared for in a well known New York establishment, summed up the atmosphere that is present at the homes run by the Sisters when she said: ‘I always wanted to go home with my family when they visited.  I don’t feel that way here.  I’m already home and my family is content to see me here, because they know I’m happy.’     Would that all people, young and old, who need to be cared for could enjoy such evidently wonderful care, especially towards the end of their lives.