FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAYJuly 21-23, 2000 volume 11, no. 124
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NEWS for Friday-Saturday-Sunday, July 21-23, 2000 DAMASCUS, MARYLAND (ZENIT.org)
Maryland's chapter of
"Youth for Life" is planning a special surprise for the Holy
Father on August 18. The young activists point out that this day,
nine months before his birth, was his "firstday," which they
believe should be celebrated.
In his encyclical, "Evangelium Vitae," Pope John Paul II called
for a new culture of life, a new civilization of love. These
youth took the call seriously, and they are working to add a new
celebration to family calendars, marking the day that each
person's life began, about nine months before birth.
Youth for Life sent a birthday card to the Holy Father on May 18,
his 80th birthday, but will also deliver a firstday card on
August 18. The idea is not totally new; the Catholic Church
celebrates the conception of Mary and Jesus (the Immaculate
Conception and the Annunciation), and the Orthodox also celebrate
the day that John the Baptist was conceived.
The pro-life group has invited everyone they could contact to add
their names to the card, and has already collected hundreds of
signatures.
Various local churches, including Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans
and Evangelicals, added their names to the card. The youth wrote
to bishops across the country, and 55 added their names,
including two Cardinals, eight archbishops, and five Orthodox
bishops. 14 legislators signed on; four of them were women. One
of the first signers was a legislator who disagrees with the Pope
about abortion, but still wishes him a good day. There were some
signers from Australia, England and several Latin American
nations. Two signers are provocative syndicated columnists.
There is still time to add your name, by writing to Youth for
Life, PO Box 246, Damascus, MD 20872, U.S.A., or visit www.firstdaycard.com and sign on there.
ZE00071820
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