Cardinal Anthony Poola, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), has called on Catholics across the country to make the defence of unborn life the Church’s highest priority. Addressing thousands of participants at the 5th National March for Life in Chennai, he urged bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful to work together in promoting and protecting the dignity of every human life from conception until natural death.
The Cardinal said that every human life is a precious gift from God and deserves love, respect, and protection. He expressed concern over the growing acceptance of abortion and reminded the faithful that the Church has a responsibility to defend those who cannot speak for themselves. He also highlighted the importance of caring for the elderly, the sick, and all vulnerable people.
Quoting the teachings of St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta, Cardinal Poola encouraged Catholics not to remain silent on issues affecting human life. He said defending life is not only about opposing abortion but also about supporting mothers, families, children, and anyone facing difficult situations. He encouraged parishes, schools, and Church institutions to strengthen pro-life education and awareness programmes.
The Cardinal appreciated the organisers of the National March for Life and the many volunteers who worked to promote the Gospel of Life. He said the Church in India is becoming more confident in speaking publicly about the value of human life and encouraged young people to become ambassadors for life through their words and actions.
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to continue promoting a culture that respects every human life. Church leaders expressed hope that the movement would inspire more people to become active defenders of life and human dignity throughout India.
