Download PDF version of this page22/01/2008
Press release
Issued by the Catholic Communications Network
President of the Pontifical Academy for Life meets Bishop for Day for Life in England and Wales
The Right Reverend Bernard Longley, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Bishop for Day for Life in England and Wales, together with the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Monsignor Andrew Summersgill met with the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Sgreccia in Rome on Monday 21 January 2008. The Secretary and Co-ordinator to the Academy, Monsignor Calipari and Fr George Woodall were also present at the meeting.
Archbishop Sgreccia praised the collaborative working between the Conferences of Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales on Day for Life each year. He said that the materials prepared jointly by all three Conferences, helped raise awareness and inform the lay faithful about the Church's teaching on life. He recognised the generosity of parishioners up and down the country who gave to Day for Life each year, so that pastoral initiatives associated with life could be supported.The President also provided examples of what happens in other parts of the world on the day dedicated to raising awareness about the dignity of life from conception to natural death. In Latin America, there is a week for life and in Italy the Bishops’ Conference sends out a message of life to all parishes to be read at Mass and there are rallies in support of life.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was also discussed during the course of the meeting and members of the Academy were each given a copy of the new parish resource pack, prepared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales to raise awareness about the Bill and provide guidance to parishioners on how they can voice their concerns.Day for Life 2008 in England and Wales focuses on mental health, and takes place on Sunday 6th July.
ENDS
Notes:www.dayforlife.org
Photo line-up: Fr Woodall, (far left), Mgr Andrew Summersgill, Archbishop Sgreccia, Bishop Longley, Monsignor Calipari.
A hi-res photograph from the meeting is available, please contact the CCN on:t. 020 7901 4800 e. ccn@cbcew.org.uk