U.S. bishops approve new blessing for unborn children
Imprimir Incrementar tamaño de fuente Disminuir tamaño de fuente

The U.S. Catholic bishops meeting in their General Assembly

Baltimore, Md., Nov 11, 2008 / 06:32 pm (CNA).- Children in the womb will now be able to receive a special blessing from their parish priests following an overwhelming vote by the U.S. bishops in favor of the new blessing.
 
"The Blessing of a Child in the Womb" has been in the works for two years, but Bishop Michael Saltarelli noted at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that, “happily it’s come to fruition at this time when I think it’s important to reaffirm and focus our attention on the life of the unborn.”  The bishop’s remarks were apparently made in reference to the recent election results and Cardinal George’s remarks on not giving any ground to those who insist that Catholics set their beliefs aside in public dialogue.

The prayer for the child in the womb was approved for use in the dioceses of the United States with a 223-1 vote this afternoon at the bishops’ General Assembly in Baltimore. The bishops also approved a Spanish version of the blessing with a 224-0 vote.
           
The Blessing of a Child in the Womb was prepared by the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities after receiving requests from dioceses for such a blessing and not finding an existing blessing for a newly conceived child.

The new blessing, which can take place either during Mass or outside of it, still requires the approval of the Congregation on Divine Worship and the Sacraments in Rome before it can be used in the dioceses of the United States of America.  Upon approval by Rome, the new prayer will be published in any new editions of The Book of Blessings.

Imprimir Incrementar tamaño de fuente Disminuir tamaño de fuente
Subscriber comments:
Published by: aggie mae
miami fl 11/19/2009 01:58 PM EST
Think think think. Perhaps if this is passed just maybe there will be no more anti-christs, evil or plain children born in contempt. Such as Hitler etc.
Rate this comment:
Published by: Bill Fitzgerald
Phoenix, AZ USA 11/13/2008 12:31 AM EST
Wonderful! It is about time that the atmosphere around pregnancy be positive and joyful and worthy of blessings galore.
The "Pio No-No" attitude resulted in making the whole affair all about sin - and unfortunately made it more attractive.
Rate this comment:
Published by: Katey
aransas, tx usa 11/12/2008 06:16 PM EST
Is this a joke? Catholics just elected Abortionist #1 of all time to USA President. "Oops, we made a boo boo" and "we are very angry at the bad, bad man", aren't going to work anymore. People have stopped believing.
Rate this comment:
Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo, C.S.J.
Bronx, NY 11/12/2008 01:29 PM EST
Practical and positive activities advance life issues more than protest. The blessing of a pregnant woman and her baby in utero is one of these advances. Another, would be to encourage high school youth to raise funds to help pregnant women in their own age group to have the baby in utero blessed and to bring the baby to term. Such a ground swell from the most vulnerable age group in high school would speak with a loud and clear voice that young people are taking practical and positive steps toward a pro-life culture.
Rate this comment:
Published by: Douglas Cook
Madison AL 11/12/2008 01:01 PM EST
Who was the one no vote for the english version. Wouldn't it have been easier to write a Latin version of the prayer and then have English and Spanish translations?

But I digress because I am trying to discuss the beauty of Latin in the Roman Catholic Church. just about 45 years out of sync.

Why two years to write and approve "The Blessing of a Child in the Womb" prayer?
Rate this comment:
ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):
NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:
 
PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:
* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.
ADVERTISING
Place your ad here
Resources:
Columns:
News:
Documents:
Tools:
ACI Group:
ACI Prensa