CHENNAI, India (LifeSiteNews) — India’s 5th National March for Life was held on August 8 and 9 in the city of Chennai, drawing a crowd of more than 5,000 people eager to proclaim the dignity of human life.

Cardinal Anthony Poola, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, was present at the march and delivered a powerful pro-life address.

The full text of Cdl. Poola’s address is printed below:

Dear Brother Bishops and All My Beloved People of God,

I am overjoyed to see that thousands have gathered once again this year at India’s 5th March For Life. A heartfelt thank you to His Grace George Anthonysamy, the archbishop of Madras-Mylapore, for graciously hosting this important event and Archbishop Francis Kalist and his CHARIS India team for beautifully organizing it year after year and reminding us of the need to speak up for those who do not have a voice in the society.

Mother Teresa, in her speech while receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, said: “The greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion.” She further stated: “If we accept that the mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?” These powerful words echo deeply in our hearts today, all the more as we hear of nations fighting against each other.

We have assembled here to raise our voices against the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971 – India’s abortion law that has led to the silent death of over 1 crore 56 lakh [15.6 million] children in the womb each year. Globally and nationally, abortion has become the number one cause of death – surpassing cancer, COVID, war, and all other tragedies. This is why Pope St. John Paul II said: “Dear Pro-Lifers, You are doing the most important work on earth. Be not afraid!”

Memorial of the Unborn at the 5th Indian National March for Life in Chennai

I repeat his words: Pro-life is the most important mission to be carried out in our dioceses, congregations and institutions. If we do not act now, we may soon be left with institutions – but without people. This is the very reason I have come here today – to support you, to stand with you as the head of the CBCI [Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India]. Do not be afraid – the Church in India stands with you to fight for the right to life of every unborn child.

I was deeply moved by the recent words of Pope Leo XIV while addressing the Vatican Diplomatic Corps. He said:

It is up to governments to build peaceful societies above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman. In addition, no one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly.

We need to work for the most frail and vulnerable in the society with much urgency. Who are the most vulnerable in the society? They are the children in the womb in danger of abortion and the elderly on their deathbed in danger of Mercy Killing or Euthanasia.

St. Padre Pio once said:

The day that people lose their horror for abortion will be the most terrible day for humanity. Abortion is not only a homicide but also a suicide. Shouldn’t we have the courage to manifest our faith before those who commit two crimes within one act? The suicide of the human race will be understood by those who will see the earth populated by the elderly and depopulated of children: burnt as a desert.

How true and prophetic are his words as many of us who have not come here have already lost the horror of abortion and it’s a sad reality in the Church. We need to do so much more. As mentioned earlier, the number one cause of death today is not COVID, cancer, or even any war – it is abortion. The World Health Organization reports that over 73 million abortions take place globally every year. What a heartbreaking reality. However, I am thrilled that the Church in India is no longer silent because of all of you people, who are faithful to the Gospel of Life.

As I conclude, I am reminded of the powerful words spoken by Pope St. John Paul II to the youth gathered at the 8th World Youth Day in Denver, USA:

Woe to you if you do not succeed in defending life. Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. The challenge is to make the Church’s “yes” to Life concrete and effective. The struggle will be long, and it needs each one of you. Place your intelligence, your talents, your enthusiasm, your compassion and your fortitude at the service of life!

I am filled with joy to witness the Pro Life Exhibition arranged by various pro-life ministries and the Life Seminars that were scheduled at the march. Through these efforts, you have truly placed your intelligence, talents, and enthusiasm in the service of life and the Church. I am deeply grateful and proud of all of you. Let us continue to March for Life – tirelessly, faithfully, and boldly – until the abortion laws in India are repealed. Finally, I would like to invite all of you to Hyderabad on the 8th & 9^th of August, 2027, for India’s 6th National March For Life.

God bless you all!

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