Over 3,000 people over 26 September were on Vilnius streets in the second Lithuanian March for Life. The event was attended by representatives of the Life and household Centre and the Ordo Iuris Institute, and 1 of the speakers was CŻiR manager Marcin Perłowski. – A nation that kills its own children is simply a nation without a future – he recalled from the phase the words of St John Paul II.
Despite the cool wind, the morning rain and the autumn fog, more than 3,000 life defenders gathered on September 26 in Vilnius on the second in the past of the March for Life to witness the dignity and value of all human life. The participants went from the Lithuanian National Library named after Martynas Mažvydas to the Cathedral Square, and representatives of pro-life environments from neighbouring countries, including Poland and Latvia, took part in the event. Poland was represented by representatives of the Centre of Life and household and the Ordo Iuris Institute.
Whole families, students and older people walked on the march, and the program fulfilled individual testimonies, speeches and musical performances. The organizers did not host the event of the nature of a sharp political protest – they wanted it to be a public vacation of life, household and community, with conventional Lithuanian folk songs about the household and testimonies of life.
“Let life win!”
Key speakers included Agnese Irbe, founder of the Latvian Philosophers' Association Peripathos, Marcin Perłowski, manager of the Center for Life and Family, and Patricia Sandoval, global pro-life talker and co-host of the "Informe Provida" programme on EWTN television.
Marcin Perłowski introduced the experience of the Polish pro-life movement to participants. “On a regular basis, my organization supports March organizers for Life and Family. We cooperate with organizers of marches throughout Poland. This year there were over 80 of them – he said.
The manager of CJiR emphasized that although marches are usually a joyful celebration of the family, they concern the most serious matters – life and death. He besides recalled the words of St John Paul II that a nation killing its own children is simply a nation without a future. – We can take care of the military power, economical improvement and prosperity of our country, but if we do not care about life, how can we supply the nation with a future? – he asked.
The march for Life is, as he pointed out, besides an effort to scope the rulers and remind them that society expects them to build a culture of life. Perłowski pointed to the Polish example: – Marches for Life and household change reality in Poland. The long-term work of pro-life organization contributed to changes in Polish law in 2020, which contributed to the protection of the life of unborn children. It was the judgement of the Constitutional Court of 22 October 2020, which he found to be incompatible with the Constitution a alleged eugenic premise.
– I hope that the unborn will besides have legal protection in Lithuania. By protecting human lives, we care about the future of our nation. May life win! – he finished.
Today on the March for Life in Vilnius. There are many Lithuanians, Poles, Latvians, due to the fact that protecting life is simply a substance across borders, a substance of the future of nations. And in this case you gotta build coalitions, support yourself, learn from yourself. #prolifepic.twitter.com/R6oHmpzM6W
— Marcin Perłowski (@perlowski) September 26, 2026
Family crisis is simply a cultural crisis
During his stay in Vilnius, Marcin Perłowski besides spoke to Live Action News. He pointed out that the decline in birth rates is linked to the changing perception of matrimony and household – young people are increasingly proceeding that marriage, children and household obligations restrict their freedom, which affects both women and men. "I would not say that the household crisis is due to the weakness of men or women," he noted. Referring to Polish experience, he noted that financial support programs did not make a demographic boom, and the state should alternatively reduce the burden on families and give them space to develop, besides by shaping social attitudes towards multi-children families.
Agnese Irbe presented a akin diagnosis. The Latvian activist pointed out that the birth rate in Latvia has fallen by half over the last decade, with fertility rates of 1.1–1.2. In her opinion, the demographic crisis cannot be explained solely by economical factors – it is simply a philosophical and moral crisis.
The Voice of Lithuanian Shepherds
The Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas expressed hope that the march would aid make a culture of life in Lithuania, in which all man has been accepted as a gift from the very beginning of existence. He stressed that he would like to see applicable changes – so that the female in fear of pregnancy knows where to look for aid and receive the essential support. The Vilnius Metropolitan called the march a Christian witness about the civilian dimension.
Archbishop Kęstutis Kėvalas appealed to men to take up their function as fathers, leaders and household owners, and recalled that work for building the culture of life lies with each Christian.
Lithuania in the face of change
The march took place during a debate on household policy and falling fertility in Lithuania; parliamentarians stay divided on abortion and in vitro regulations. Abortion is now regulated by the Minister's Regulation, and in 2025 the Sejm took an first step towards a bill that would let abortion on request until the 12th week of pregnancy and backing it from public funds. 1 of the organizers of the march, Simonas Streikus, points out that politicians besides propose to grow access to assisted reproduction for single women and partnerships.
This year's March for Life in Vilnius showed that the Lithuanian life defence movement is increasing – and the experience of Polish pro-life organizations, including the Centre of Life and Family, can be a real support for him.
