An Internet site (www.catholic-ew.org.uk/dfl) has even been created to promote the Pro-Life Day that the 2800 Catholic parishes in England and Wales will celebrate on 30 December. Booklets, aids, prayers and posters to promote the Day have already been distributed: the Catholic faithful are called to pray for society to commit itself to the defence of human life and the dignity of each individual, from conception to natural death. “Turn every day into your Pro-Life Day”, says the slogan placed on posters and in brochures. “Let us thank God for the joy of the gift of life write the bishops of England and Wales Let us recognize our shortcomings and the shortcomings of society in protecting human life, in promoting the dignity of the person and in acting with mercy and compassion towards everyone. Let us thank the Lord for the precious gift of life and let us pray especially for those who find themselves in difficulty”. According to Msgr. Peter Smith, head of the department of the Bishops’ Conference for the responsibility of Christians and citizens, “the attacks on the dignity and sanctity of human life in its every stage have increased in an alarming manner over the last few years. Therefore he writes in a letter sent to all parish priests it is essential that we do everything possible to help the faithful to live this Day as a celebration of life as a gift of God from which all of us derive our origin”.
