Catholic Church to celebrate Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) as part of the Year of Faith

14 Jun 2013

Catholic Church to celebrate Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) as part of the Year of Faith

  • Universal Church to reaffirm commitment to the promotion, respect and dignity of human life.

Bishops are asking the faithful to offer their prayerful support at home and in parishes across Ireland this weekend in support of Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) This important initiative will be led by Pope Francis in Rome as part of the  liturgical celebrations to mark this Year of Faith.

Tomorrow Pope Francis will celebrate the encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae at  a special event entitled, ‘Believing, May They Have Life’.  The chosen theme reflects the Church’s commitment to the promotion, respect and dignity of human life.

At 8.30pm (Rome time) a silent, candle-lit procession will be held along Rome’s Via della Conciliazone in order to call attention to the theme of human life and its intangible value.  It will be supported by tens of thousands of pro-life people from around the world and the procession will conclude in Saint Peter’s Square.  The following morning Pope Francis will preside at Sunday Mass at 10.30am with the entire ‘people of life’ to address his message and to show his care.

ENDS


Notes to Editors

Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life) is an encyclical letter of Blessed Pope Paul John II, published on 25 March 1995, which expresses the teaching of the Catholic Church on the value and inviolability of human life.

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: 00353 (1) 505 3017 and Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678