Germany: thousands march in Berlin and Colonia to defend life from conception

The traditional “march for life” brought together this Saturday in Berlin and Colonia (Germany) thousands of people who gave a peaceful testimony in defense of human life from conception to natural death.

In Berlin, the participants gathered with colored balloons and banners in the Washingtonplatz, near the Brandeburg Gate, while in Colonia the march began in the central Neumarkt square.

The manifestations of September 20 passed in peace by the attendees, despite isolated attempts of boycott by the front of the left. According to reports, there was a brief sitting of between 80 and 100 radical activists in Berlin, which was dissolved by the police.

Bishops support the defense of life

Mons. Rudolf Voderholzer, Bishop of Ratisbona, and Mons. Matthias Heinrich, auxiliary bishop of Berlin, who in the end imparted the blessing of the traveler. In Colonia, the auxiliary bishop Dominik Schwaderlapp presided over the Holy Mass with the faithful. For his part, Mons. Georg Bätzing, president of the German Episcopal Conference, sent a message in which he stressed that life is a gift from God, which is not acquired for his own merit, but is confident of man.

Alexandra Linder, president of the German Federation for the right to life, thanked high participation and good weather, and recalled that similar marches are made internationally, as in Zurich, simultaneously, and soon in Vienna (October 4) and for the first time in Vilna, Lithuania.

From India, Johanna Durairaj, of the Life for All organization, warned that around 16 million abortions per year are practiced in her country, which represents 20 % of the world total. He explained that many of the women who accompany are victims of violence and who live abortion not as a help, but as an added burden.

Defense of freedom of conscience

Pharmacist Andreas Kersten intervened stating that, for reasons of consciousness, he does not dispense the “day after day.” For him, this is a clear example of the importance of following one’s conscience.

In Colonia, Ewtn Germany spoke with Dr. Julia Kim, a member of the organization Action Life Right for everyone (Alfa), who encouraged participants to live with respect and charity towards others.

The lawyer Felix Böllmann, of ADF International, also highlighted against Ewtn Germany that freedom of meeting makes these demonstrations possible, and added that freedom of conscience, protected constitutionally, is a particularly important issue for him.

For his part, the pediatrician and researcher Holm Schneider, from the University of Erlangen, shared the case of a four -year pregnancy, in which, despite the medical recommendation of making a “selective abortion”, all children were born. The professor described this experience as a moving testimony in favor of life, which shows that each child can be received with love.

Demands to the political world

During the march, the demands of the German Federation for the right to life were also presented: a complete statistic of abortions and the investigation of its causes, as well as a quality evaluation in all advisory centers in conflict cases during pregnancy.

The organization reminded the political leaders that human life begins with conception and claimed full freedom of conscience for doctors and health personnel, even during their training. Regarding euthanasia, he said that assisted suicide is “a declaration of bankruptcy of society” and requested more support for hospices and palliative care.

That same day, in Zurich-Oerlikon (Switzerland), some 2,000 people participated in the 15th edition of the March for the Labe. There the challenges of prenatal medicine, the testimonies of late abortions survivors and the debate on the financing of abortions through medical insurance were addressed.

The Ewtn.TV Catholic channel broadcast the event live, with the driving of Rudolf Gehrig, correspondent in Rome of CNA Deutsch.

Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA German.