A signature for life

In view of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of Man (December 10, 2008), European pro-life and pro-family movements (FEFA), are stepping up the diffusion of the European Petition for the Life and Dignity of Man. The Petition will be submitted throughout a number of Countries marked by different political situations, sensitivities and cultural traditions. For this reason, the promoters grant the freedom to convey the Petition’s content in different ways, ‘provided its core message remains the same’: “we affirm the right to the life of every human being from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death and the rights of the family as the fundamental unit of society and State, based on the marriage between man and woman who have the right and duty to educate their children”. When the petition was conceived. On December 11 2007, the President of Italy’s pro-life movement, Carlo Casini, submitted to the European Parliament a Petition regarding the life and dignity of man. The proposal passed with the unanimous vote of some 40 representatives of pro-life and pro-family movements and associations from almost all 27 Member States. A second appointment took place on May 11 2008, before the audience with Benedict XVI, with the delegations of pro-life movements in Italy, Germany, Poland, Malta, Belgium, Slovakia, Croatia and Norway. The initiative is also aimed at bringing together European pro-life population overcoming national divisions. On that occasion the Pope underlined the importance and the value of pro-life commitment and against abortion. Understanding the petition. The petitions presented by European citizens are submitted to the only body in charge of examining petitions, i.e., the European Parliament. Thus, this Petition ought to be addressed to its President. The content of the petition is then sent and illustrated by special delegations also the other supreme bodies of the European Union (the Council and the Commission). The main request. The first part of the Petition restates the pillars of the European Union’s self-identity (dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity and justice). It recalls the Universal and European Charters of the Rights of Man. The main request put forward in the petition is the right to life. It demands that the articles where it is solemnly proclaimed be integrated with the words “since the moment of conception”. The first request stems from a concrete fact, regarding the EU’s decision to subsidize, as envisaged in the 7th Framework Research Program, the destruction of human embryos for scientific research. The Petition calls for the immediate suspension of European funds’ allocation to companies conducting similar experiments on human embryos.The Petition’s final words focus on granting recognition only to the family based on the marriage between man and woman, destined to be the parents of children whom they have the duty and right to educate. Adhesion, expiry date, Mother Teresa award. It is necessary to fill in a form available at the various pro-life and pro-family associations present in each European Country. The website of Italy’s pro-life Movement (www.mpv.org) has a section enabling adhesion through on-line signature. The Petition must be consigned in Brussels, with the relative signatures, by December 17 2008. This however is the first expiration: European pro-life movements have proposed to continue the Petition during the course of the year 2009. The Polish representative suggested devoting a day, March 25, to a prayer for life, to be celebrated in all world Countries. The Italian delegation proposed that March 25 may also be a no-abortion date. In addition to the signatures, the Pro-Life Award, dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta and promoted by all life movements will be presented on that occasion. Signature collection under way. In Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Poland and in other European Countries, signatures are being collected at a steady pace. In Italy, during the Rimini Meeting held past August 30, 3000 signatures were placed especially by the youth.