Christians and “pro-life” activists in India are expected to participate in a “March for Life” that is scheduled to be held at the historic Jantar Mantar in the capital New Delhi on August 10.
The day also marks the 51st anniversary of the passing of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971 that legalized abortion in the country.
The march, which is being organized by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services in India and the Delhi Catholic Charismatic Service of Communion, will be the first of its kind to create awareness against abortion.
It will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Delhi even as the Catholic Church in the country will also mark the day as a “Day of Mourning.’
Auxiliary Bishop Deepak Valerian Tauro, chairman of the Pro-life Commission in Delhi, urged the faithful to participate in the activity.
He also urged parish priests to ring the funerary bells in “sorrowful memory” of the lives lost to abortion in India.
Studies done in recent years showed that 15.6 million unborn babies are killed every year in India through induced abortion.
Last year, the country’s abortion law was amended to increase the limit for abortions from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.
Peter Mundackal, author and development consultant hailed the charismatic movement in India for initiating the upcoming event.
“These days when many of us fight for human rights,” he said, adding that “it is more than obligatory on our part to do whatever we can to protect the life of the unborn.”
