HONG KONG (SE): “Let’s show more concern for life. Pay attention to the various blessings of God. Arrange priorities in our lives and put God’s plan first so that we can receive grace from God and enjoy the freedom of life,” urged Father Dominic Lui Chi-man, director of the Bioethics Resource Centre of the Holy Spirit Seminary of Theology and Philosophy College, during a Mass on Pro-life Day, May 31.
Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, sj, celebrated the Mass at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, on the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with vicar general Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu and Father Lui.
At the beginning of the Mass, Bishop Chow blessed the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the unborn, with other concelebrants.
As Father Lui explained in his homily, Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth illustrated that life is a blessing from God as two pregnant women rejoiced together. “It is unfortunate, however, that many people today consider children a burden, and many babies aren’t able to meet their mothers,” he said, citing statistics that show 41.9 million abortions occurred during 2018.
Photo: the Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family
Father Lui cited a Catholic News Agency report about a couple in the United States who decided to keep their conjoined twin baby girl despite advice to abort her when they were informed during the first 10 weeks of their pregnancy.
Nicole LeBlanc shared her journey on social media and received an outpouring of prayers. After the twins were born and lived for an hour, the mother was glad they lived long enough for her to hold them. They were baptised before passing away.
Let’s show more concern for life. Pay attention to the various blessings of God. Arrange priorities in our lives and put God’s plan first so that we can receive grace from God and enjoy the freedom of life
According to Father Lui, the couple’s example has touched many people’s hearts and inspired others. He said the incident manifests the concept written by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in its letter, Samaritanus bonus, which says one’s own existence and that of others is a unique and unrepeatable wonder and should be received and truly welcomed as a gift despite difficulties and sufferings.
During his homily, the priest also shared a passage from the book, This Economy Kills, in which Pope Francis reminded people to respect the order of creation and to take precautions against changes caused by mankind’s complacency, such as genetic engineering.
He showed his support for this year’s large pro-life rally in Ottawa, Canada, on May 11, titled, Stand Firm. He reminded the participants to protect the pre-born, mothers in crisis pregnancies, people with disabilities, and the elderly, as well as the marginalised and vulnerable.
The congregation was then led to pray for the pro-life work of the Church, which empowers people in trials, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for pro-life groups in the diocese, for the faith of people facing difficulties concerning the protection of life; and for the support for charity groups helping the marginalised. Since 2017, the Diocese of Hong Kong has celebrated Pro-Life Day on May 31.
