The National March for Life (Národný pochod za život), which passed on 22 September through Košice streets, appealed to the public to respect the life of all man from conception to natural death.

On Sunday in Košice, Slovakia he passed IV. The National March for Life, which brought together about 40,000 participants in this 5-million nation. A immense crowd of people from all over the country came to show their support for the thought of defending life, the indissolubleness of marriage, and the values of the family.

The organizers of the March were the Slovak pro-life associations, and the honorary patronage of the event was taken by the Slovak Episcopal Conference. The participants besides included representatives of the Polish Centre of Life and household and the Fr Piotr Skarga Christian Culture Association.

On the day of the event in the cathedral, a Mass was celebrated for the participants of the march, presided over by Bishop of Košice Archbishop Bernard Bober. Hierarch stressed that the issue of defending unborn children is closely linked to the strategy of assistance to pregnant mothers. “If we take care of them, we will besides have a chance at a fresh life. Therefore, let us not forget the concrete aid needed by women and families" He said.

After the Holy Mass there were many attractions for families with children, competitions with prizes and concert. The march began at 1.30 p.m. with speeches by representatives of pro-life organizations from Slovakia and abroad. Marcin Perłowski – manager of the Centre for Life and household besides spoke.

‘We're under quite a few force present from abortion environments. We in Poland must be vigilant due to the fact that the Polish authorities want to introduce abortion through the back door. We must support each another in our actions. make a large European front for the protection of unborn children – convinced the assembled.

Marcin Perłowski besides talked about the situation in our country and emphasized the importance of akin manifestations for changing public awareness.

"Marches change the way many people look at human life, at the beginning, and show the cruelty of abortion. In 2020, they helped to change abortion law and to increase the protection of unborn lives in Poland" – he added.

Just after the speeches, the demonstrators set off on Košice Streets. The participants of the walk were besides greeted on behalf of Pope Francis nuncio Nicola Girasoli: “Pope Francis marches with you today... Let it be a march of hope. Always Be Supporters of Life“ The papal envoy stressed.

During the march there were respective Slovak bishops present, and the full event was covered by the patronage of the Conference of the Slovak Episcopal Conference. The event was apolitical and open to all who combined the desire to defend the lives of all man. According to the organizers' estimates, about 40,000 people took part in the event.

Although abortion rates in Slovakia have steadily declined since 1989, the situation changed in 2022 erstwhile the number of abortions increased compared to the erstwhile year. Another increase was besides recorded in 2023. At the same time, the birth rate has fallen importantly in Slovakia in fresh years. The main postulate of the National March for Life was the repeal of the abortion bill, which allows abortion on request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in justified cases besides later.

National Marches for Life were held in 2013 in Košice and in 2015 and 2019 in Bratislava. The Manifesto of the first March became an impulse to specify in the Constitution the concept of matrimony as a union between a female and a man, which occurred in 2014.

Jabłońska-Kraska Olympia
Center for Life and Family

Sources: originsazivot.sk, PCh24.pl, Center of Life and Family

Photo: FB/Národný walk behind život, Center of Life and Family