Currents News Staff
To combat the culture of death and as a response to the Reproductive Health Act, which takes away legal protection from the unborn, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has announced that the Diocese of Brooklyn will join the international ‘40 Days of Life’ campaign this Lenten season.
“In response to the recent malicious Reproductive Health Act adopted in New York State, I have received dozens of letters and messages from Catholics, throughout Brooklyn and Queens, who are profoundly shocked by this extremist pro-abortion law,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “As such, I thought it critical that during this season of Lent, our faithful have a greater opportunity to be part of something that places great emphasis on the value of life.
“I have pledged the diocese’s support for the worldwide 40 Days For Life campaign, and am encouraging a period of prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil and education to take place in the name of the unborn,” the bishop said.
The Diocese of Brooklyn is encouraging parishes to offer opportunities to pray for an end to abortion during this Lenten season. A number of pro-life church events have already been scheduled, and more are in the planning stages, including an overnight prayer vigil at St. Leo’s Church in Corona, April 5 – 6 and a pro-life Mass and witness at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jamaica, Queens on March 30 at 7 a.m.
“This year, after the passage of such an anti-life law in New York, it is important that the Diocese of Brooklyn will be participating in this pro-life campaign,” said Christian Rada, Director of Marriage, Family Formation, and Respect Life Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn. “Recognizing that with God, all things are possible our efforts in Brooklyn and Queens will be part of one of the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilizations in history.”
The Diocese of Brooklyn has published the resource materials relating to the 40 Days For Life program on its website at dioceseofbrooklyn.org/marriage/marriage-and-family including pro-life rosary prayer intentions, blessings for expecting parent, and a litany of petitions to support life.
For a full listing of events happening this Lenten season, visit the diocesan website: meetmein.church.
To learn more about the global pro-life movement, visit 40daysforlife.com.