Day for Life

Day for Life was initiated by the late Pope John Paul II, to encourage the Catholic Church worldwide to celebrate the sanctity of life. In Ireland, Scotland and England & Wales, the Bishops' Conferences are working closely together this year, and have chosen disability as the theme.

It is eleven years now since the late Pope John Paul II wrote his encyclical letter "Evangelium Vitae" (The Gospel of Life), which was addressed to the whole Church, and to all people of good will.

He wanted to:

The Pope proposed that "a day for life be celebrated each year in every country." The primary purpose of this day should be "to foster in individual consciences, in families, in the Church, and in civil society, a recognition of the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition." (EV#85)

'Human life is a precious gift to be loved and defended in each of its stages. The Commandment, "You shall not kill!" always requires respecting and promoting human life, from its beginning to its natural end. It is a command that applies even in the presence of illness and when physical weakness reduces the person's ability to be self-reliant.'

The late Pope John Paul II

The theme this year is disability and our three goals are:

The Bishops' Conferences in Britain and Ireland celebrate Day for Life on the following days this year:

On this website, however, you can celebrate all three of the individual days. We'll be releasing audio (podcast) and video nation material online a couple of weeks before each country's Day for Life happens.

Discover more about Day for Life this year by choosing one of the following options:

England & Wales
Day for Life, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX

Scotland
5 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow, G1 2DH

Ireland
Catholic Communications Office, Irish Bishops' Conference, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

To contact those who created this website and its associated video and podcast media, please visit our credits page.


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	About Day For Life Day for Life was initiated by the late Pope John Paul II, to encourage the Catholic Church worldwide to celebrate the sanctity of life. In Ireland, Scotland and England & Wales, the Bishops' Conferences are working closely together this year, and have chosen disability as the theme. The Gospel of Life It is eleven years now since the late Pope John Paul II wrote his encyclical letter "Evangelium Vitae" (The Gospel of Life), which was addressed to the whole Church, and to all people of good will. He wanted to: reaffirm the dignity of every human person, created and loved by God renew the commitment of the Church to the "defence of the world's poor, those who are threatened and despised, and whose human rights are violated."(EV#5) invite people of good will to reflect on the "extraordinary increase and gravity of threats to the life of individuals and peoples, especially where life is weak and defenceless." (EV#3) appeal to every person, in the name of God, to respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life." (EV#5) The Pope proposed that "a day for life be celebrated each year in every country." The primary purpose of this day should be "to foster in individual consciences, in families, in the Church, and in civil society, a recognition of the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition." (EV#85) 'Human life is a precious gift to be loved and defended in each of its stages. The Commandment, "You shall not kill!" always requires respecting and promoting human life, from its beginning to its natural end. It is a command that applies even in the presence of illness and when physical weakness reduces the person's ability to be self-reliant.' The late Pope John Paul II What Is This Year's Theme? The theme this year is disability and our three goals are: To celebrate the life and presence of disabled people in the Church and in society today. To promote a more just and humane society in which all can reach their full potential. To defend the lives of the disabled often threatened before birth by genetic screening and procured abortion, or being denied necessary medical treatment when ill or old. When Is Day For Life 2006? The Bishops' Conferences in Britain and Ireland celebrate Day for Life on the following days this year: Scotland - 28th May England & Wales - 2nd July Ireland - 1st October On this website, however, you can celebrate all three of the individual days. We'll be releasing audio (podcast) and video nation material online a couple of weeks before each country's Day for Life happens. Find Out More Discover more about Day for Life this year by choosing one of the following options: Booklet - Take a look at our animated introduction to Day for Life Podcasts - Hear Archbishop Mario Conti talking about how we can bring the ‘Lourdes experience’ back to individual parishes, and Bishop Bernard Longley explaining the background to Day for Life How To Get Involved - We need your support. Find out how to do your bit by praying, signing up or making a donation Contact Us England & Wales Day for Life, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX Scotland 5 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow, G1 2DH Ireland Catholic Communications Office, Irish Bishops' Conference, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare To contact those who created this website and its associated video and podcast media, please visit our credits page.

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