Fatima, Portugal, Oct 6, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- On October 4 the World Congress of Prayer for Life opened in Fatima, under the theme "Mary, We Entrust To You The Cause of Life," bringing together hundreds of participants from more than 30 countries.

According to the Portuguese news agency Ecclesia, the organizers of event said they were pleased with the turnout, which "surpassed all expectations," and that they have received messages of solidarity from people around the world.  The congress will continue through October 8.

They also underscored that the gathering, "although not political in nature, will contribute to the discussion on a proposal to carry out a referendum on abortion, scheduled to take place in the coming days" in Portugal.

Participants at the Congress include the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Msgr. Karl Josef Romer, the Most Reverend Serafim Ferreira e Silva, Bishop Emeritus of Leiria-Fatima, the president of the Portuguese Federation for Life, Isilda Pegado, the vice-postulator of the cause of canonization of the three shepherd children of Fatima, Father Luis Condor, and others. 

* The number of messages that can be online is limited. 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

RESOURCES »

• 

  Life and Family

  Natural Planning | Birth Control | Contraception, Lies and the Truth
• 

  Apologetics

  Belief in God | Bible | Tradition and Church
• 

  Documents

  Pope Benedict XVI | Encyclicals | Apostolic Letters
• 

  Sacraments

  The Seven Sacraments | Sacraments: gifts that 'matter'

Most Popular

     HTML

Text only

Headlines

  

Follow us:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• RSS

Subscribe to our RSS feeds:

 Daily News

 Latest Columns

 Catholic Womanhood

 Daily Readings

 Saint of the Day

 Podcast: Daily Homily

All feeds »