NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      LANSING, MICHIGAN, AUG 8 (ZENIT).- Our Lady of Guadalupe, Inc., is planning a special mission throughout the United States for Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. The Holy Father recently raised this date to a liturgical feast day throughout the Americas in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The Lansing, Michigan, based group invites people around the country to gather at abortion clinics on this day to pray, bearing a banner depicting Mary as she appeared to Juan Diego.

      Organizers stress that this will be a peaceful protest, keeping within the limitations imposed by the law. Each site will be provided a 2 x 3 ft. image for the event.

      When Mary appeared to Juan Diego, the Aztecs were still performing human sacrifices. Within 10 years after the appearance, 9,000,000 had been baptized, and human sacrifices had ended. Thus, the group hopes that the massacre of infants in our time will be stopped by the intercession of Mary.

      The Bishop of Lansing, Carl Mengeling, has given his support to the project. "Your public crusade for human life through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Life, will unite thousands in prayer for this sacred cause. All our efforts of education, advocacy, etc., depend on prayer. You have my endorsement," he stated.

      One of John Paul II's speeches at the Denver World Youth Day became the inspiration for this initiative. "America, defend life! Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places," he demanded on that occasion.

      Organizers can be contacted at guadalupe@rc.net. The web page for the organization, with an online sign-up form, is located at http://www.guad.org/. ZE99080820

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