GLASGOW, Scotland, MAY 27, 2010 (<a href=»http://www.zenit.org»>Zenit.org).- The bishops’ conferences of Scotland, Ireland, and England and Wales have chosen to focus on end of life issues for this year’s annual Day for Life.
Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow explained that «in a year in which the Holy Father is to beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman we can do no better than look at his beautiful description in the Dream of Gerontius of the death of the faithful Christian, ‘fortified by the rites of Holy Church’ and surrounded by the love and support of family and friends.»
«This is a very different experience of death to that considered by some in modern society as an exit from this world to be completed at a time of one’s own choosing,» the prelate continued, «a dangerous approach exemplified by the End of Life Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.»
A press release from the Day for Life organizers stated that the goal of this year’s event will be to «help people appreciate the best traditions of the Church» regarding these issues.
It aims to «unpack the Church’s teaching on death,» and «highlight the importance of the sacrament of the dying, of praying for the dead and of accompanying the dying person as they journey towards God.»
The 2010 Day for Life «will also point toward the presence and consolation of the community of faith and all those who ‘have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.'»
Scotland marks the day on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31, though parishes will celebrate it together on Sunday. In England and Wales it will take place on July 25, and in Ireland, Oct. 3.
Previous Days for Life have focused on suicide, mental health, disability and the sacredness of human life.
— — —
On the Net:
For more information: http://www.dayforlife.org
