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 'Blessed is the fruit of your womb' 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?

‘Blessed is the fruit of your womb’ is the theme for this year’s Day for Life – the day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition.

Day for Life 2007 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act in England, Scotland and Wales, the 10th anniversary of Cardinal Winning’s Pro-Life Initiative in Scotland, the 30th anniversary of Cura in Ireland and the 30th anniversary of the Life Care and Housing Trust in England and Wales. It will fall in Scotland on 31st May 2007, in England and Wales on 1st July 2007 and on 7th October 2007 in Ireland.

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 work closely together each year. For 2007, they have chosen 'Blessed is the fruit of your womb' as the theme.

When is Day for Life 2007?

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

• Scotland - 31st May
• England & Wales - 1st July
• Ireland - 7th 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

Learn more about the issues involved in this year's Day for Life.

Scotland
The Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative
104 Albert Road, Glasgow G42 8EL
Phone: 0141 433 2680
Email: info@prolifeinitiative.org.uk
Web: www.prolifeinitiative.org.uk

Ireland
Cura National Office, Columba Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Phone: 353 1 5053040 Helpline: 1850 622 626
E-Mail: curacares@cura.ie
Web: www.cura.ie

England & Wales
Life (Pregnancy care and support charity)
Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4EA
Phone: 01926 421 587
E-Mail: info@lifecharity.org.uk
Web: www.lifecharity.org.uk

Contact us

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

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

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

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

Finance

The Day for Life Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st December 2006 is available to download.

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