Evangelium vitae
Encyclica Pope John Paul II. on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life
Nr. 100
"In this great endeavour to create a new culture of life we are
inspired and sustained by the confidence that comes from knowing that
the Gospel of life, like the Kingdom of God itself, is growing and
producing abundant fruit (cf. Mk 4:26-29). There is certainly an
enormous disparity between the powerful resources available to the
forces promoting the 'culture of death' and the means at the disposal
of those working for a 'culture of life and love'. But we know that we
can rely on the help of God, for whom nothing is impossible (cf. Mt
19:26). Filled with this certainty, and moved by profound concern for
the destiny of every man and woman, I repeat what I said to those
families who carry out their challenging mission amid so many
difficulties: a great prayer for life is urgently needed,
a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special
initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God,
the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from
every group and association, from every family and from the heart of
every believer. Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that
prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the
forces of evil (cf. Mt 4:1-11). As he taught his disciples, some demons
cannot be driven out except in this way (cf. Mk 9:29). Let us therefore
discover anew the humility and the courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit:
the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and
sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life. May
this same power turn their hearts to resolutions and goals inspired by
the civilization of life and love."
Nr. 105
"O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be
born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who
are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by
indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in
your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the
people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as
a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout
their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order
to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of
truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover
of life."
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