Annunciation of the Lord: Beliers of pregnant women in Veracruz, Mexico

Within the framework of the solemnity of the Lord’s announcement, more than twenty pregnant women met at the foot of the monument to life, located in the Mexican state of Veracruz, to receive the blessing of their maternal belly.

According to social networks Of the Diocese of Orizaba, the ceremony was chaired by Fr. Helky Enriquez Báez, diocesan coordinator of the dimension of life, who highlighted in front of the women gathered three key points of the Gospel about the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, linking them with motherhood: “Full you are of grace”, “you will be a mother” and “the virgin ‘Do you in me according to your word’ ”, which reflects the delivery of women.

During the celebration, the priest recalled that this date is a time to recognize that what is “created in his guts is already a creature of God and, as such, deserves respect and care until he sees the light of this world and is received with love for his loved ones.”

In this sense, he joined the clamor “or less” that refers to the cessation of femicides. However, he said that “not one less” should be applied to every person. “A human being cannot be eliminated by abortion, a human being cannot be eliminated by euthanasia, a young man, a child for violence and crime cannot be eliminated,” he said.

“All life is dignified, and all life must be respected, no one can be eliminated by the death penalty, as in some countries they propose. Because God does not want the death of the sinner, but he regrets, live and return to him,” said the priest

As a sign of hope, Father Enriquez Báez asked attendees to listen to the heartbeat of a baby in the mother’s belly and invited the community to pray for all pregnant women, both those present and those in different parts of the world who have said “yes” to life.

Abortion in Veracruz

In 2021, the state of Veracruz became the fourth state of Mexico to decriminalize abortion at request until 12 weeks gestation. Before this reform, abortion was only allowed under certain conditions, such as the risk of women’s life or in cases of rape.

According to a local medium report The Sun of Mexicoa total of 4,587 abortion cases between 2019 and October 10, 2024 were recorded.

In this context, the priest announced the next opening of the house Mother’s son Orizaba, an organization that offers refuge for pregnant women in vulnerability, “so that pregnant women can be served and supported in vulnerability conditions, it seeks to help them for 8 months with home, dress, sustenance, etc.”.