MANILA, Dec. 12, 2014 – For some, today marks the second anniversary of a major loss for the pro-life advocacy with the passing of the RH Bill on second reading. But a group of young people has decided to emphasize today as the feast day of Patroness of the Unborn, Our Lady of Guadalupe, by launching Love + Life Philippines (LLP), which aims to gather all the pro-life youth organizations in the country.
LLP will have a soft launch, induction of officers and their pledge of commitment today, at 7:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City.
“It’s an honor for Love + Life Philippines to be launching in a pro-life parish like ours,” said the Shrine’s parish priest Fr. Eric Cruz, who will be concelebrating a Holy Mass with LLP spiritual director Fr. Gerry Battad, SDB at 8:00 p.m. at the same venue.
Life-loving youth
“We want to tell the truth, that the young people of the Philippines are life-loving people therefore we don’t need the RH Law,” said LLP president Peter Pardo in an interview with CBCP News.
According to Pardo, the former youth coordinator of the National Capital Region youth ministry, aside from being the exact date of RH Bill’s passing in Congress, Dec. 12 is significant because it is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, recognized by many as the patroness of the pro-life movement.
“December 12 is the feast of the Patroness of the Unborn, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to whom we dedicate and consecrate the group,” he added.
Officially formed on Nov. 7 at the EDSA Shrine, Mandaluyong City, LLP is the lead convenor of pro-life youth groups in the country, which include World Youth Alliance, Pure Fashion – Manila, CFC – Singles for Christ, CFC – Youth for Christ, Filipinos for Life, Catholic Youth in Action, and other diocesan youth ministries in Metro Manila, among others.
Uniting pro-life groups
“[Love + Life Philippines will] unify the efforts of all pro-life youth groups in the country so that we will have a common and unified effort when it comes to collaboration and mobilization,” Pardo explained.
“I have seen young people from the parishes joining pro-life rallies, youth movements giving talks about the sanctity of life etc. There is where Love + Life Philippines will come in,” he added, noting the need for more collaboration among pro-life groups.
According to Christine Violago, LLP Secretary General, the group will also be a venue where young people can use their talents and skills for a cause.
“If you believe in the importance of celebrating and defending life through policy as well as culture, then this is an organization for you,” she added.
Those who are interested to join may make inquiries at the group’s page https://www.facebook.com/LoveLifePhililppines. (Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz/CBCPNews)