WASHINGTON --- A week of prayer and fasting for the conversion of nations and an end to abortion ended with calls for further prayer and fasting as well as political activism and education.

All-day Eucharistic adoration, several recitations of the rosary, and music and speakers at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington capped off the eight-day International Week of Prayer and Fasting organized by the International Coalition of the Triumph, a coalition of 55 organizations.

In his homily at the Mass midway through the vigil day, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde said prayer and sacrifice, witness and education are keys to becoming "the core of life in the world."

"Our witness is our example, "Bishop Loverde said.  He noted that last November, the U.S. bishops issued "Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics, "which encourages people to better incorporate the Church's pro-life teachings into public life.

The statement discussed abortion, euthanasia and physician assisted suicide in relation to Church teaching about the sanctity of human life at all stages, and to the nation's founding principles as stated in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

In addition to continuing to pray about pro-life issues, Bishop Loverde encouraged the congregation to urge their elected representatives to take pro-life stands and to volunteer in programs that provide help for struggling families and pregnant women.

He also asked people to "extend true compassion" in their pro-life work, while never withholding or denying the truth about the world.

"The cure for our anti-life culture is a change in behavior, a change in attitudes," he said.

Middle-aged men and women accompanying their elderly parents, families with young children, priest, nuns and seminarians were among those in the congregation of several hundred people, primarily from the Northern Virginia - Maryland - Washington area.
Several hundred more joined them for the noon Mass, which was concelebrated by several priest and Bishop Loverde.

Among the day's other speakers, Father Andrew Apostoli, of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, reminded people that sometimes God take a long time to answer prayers.  St. Monica found that in her 16-year effort to convert her son, St. Augustine, and her 25-year campaign to convert her husband, he said.

"God heard Monica's prayers, He saw her tears," Father Apostoli said.  "God didn't miss a word.  He heard her prayers, but He waited.

"When God is ready, our Lady will intervene and bring the world to her Son," he added.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., asked people to persuade their elected representatives to fight attempts to overturn laws that protect life, both in the United State and abroad.

Smith said Planned Parenthood is succeeding in its systematic campaign to legalize abortion in countries such as Poland, where it has long been prohibited, and to encourage contraception.  Like several other speakers, Smith led the congregation in the rosary following his remarks.

The sponsoring organizations in the Coalition of Triumph include:  Apostolate for Family Consecration; Catholic Campaign for America; Catholic Radio Network, Eagle Forum, Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, March for Life, Militia of the Immaculata, MaxKol Institute, Priests for Life and Ignatius Press.

Copyright ©1999 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.

This article was published in the Arlington Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol 24, No 42,
page 9, dated October 21, 1999.
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A note from the Web Master:

It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion.  Let us not forget that ordinary everyday run of the mill abortion is also murder.  We must understand that aborting the life of a baby is murder no matter the method.  Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not make the other methods less so.  We should be horrified and sickened by any abortion regardless of the method.  The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly:

"Thou shalt not kill."

A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul.  Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any abortion occurs.  Please contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone,  to let them know how horrified you are that abortions are legal and to stop, once and for all, Partial-Birth abortions and all other abortions as soon as possible.