The March for Life near the Eiffel Tower.
Pray, March, and Act: Pro-Lifers mobilized in Paris
Last Sunday, the annual March for Life took place in Paris, one of the biggest pro-life events in Western Europe. TFP Student Action Europe was at the March together with volunteers and reports.
15,000 Participants
Around 15,000 people gathered at Place du Trocadéro, with the iconic Eiffel Tower in the background, to make their voices heard for the protection of unborn children. In terms of participants, this is Europe's largest March for Life.
Fifty Years of Unpenalised Abortion
This year's rally was extra marked by the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the so-called ‘Veil law’, which legalized abortion in France. The country has since sunk even deeper, by including abortion in the Constitution.
Thousands of young people
The crowd consisted of people of all ages, but the conspicuous presence of thousands of young people gave the event a hopeful tone. That offers hope for the French nation, which holds the venerable title of Oldest Daughter of the Church.
Delegations from multiple TFPs from Europe join the March for Life in Paris on 19 January 2025.
Minute of Silence 10 million Abortion Fatalities
The day began with speeches by prominent pro-life speakers and clerics, who called on the crowd to remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting the unborn child. A minute's silence was held in memory of the shocking 10 million abortions performed in France since 1975.
Intense Emotions
This moment of reflection caused intense emotions among the mostly Catholic participants, who expressed their conviction that life, from conception onwards, is sacred.
‘Greatest Cause of Death’
One of the speakers stressed, ‘Abortion is the greatest cause of mortality in France among the human species.’ This statement, supported by hard figures, brought the gravity of the situation into sharp perspective.
Read also: Abortion as a Marxist Tool in the Context of the Cultural and Sexual Revolution
Liberalization of Abortion Law
A major turning point in French abortion policy took place in 2016 with the reform of the Loi Santé. This law ended the obligatory seven-day reflection period for women considering abortion.
In addition, the abortion pill was made widely available in France.
Read also: Donald Trump Deletes Abortion Ban from Party Platform
International Abortion Lobby
These pro-abortion measures have also been taken in other European Union members, such as the Netherlands. The sophisticated and generously subsidized abortion lobby operates internationally. Therefore, we pro-lifers must defend the unborn child internationally. That made our presence in Paris of great importance.
Divine as well as Natural Law
But ‘laws that permit and promote abortion and euthanasia completely lack real legal validity,’ one March speaker quoted Pope John Paul II from his encyclical Evangelium Vitae. It is imperative that we pro-lifers re-align prevailing law with the right to life, which remains undiminished Divine and natural law.
A Message of Hope and Determination
The massive presence of young people at the march offered a source of hope for the future of the pro-life movement. Many participants expressed that they feel called to defend the unborn child in a society that seems to increasingly embrace individualism and complacency.
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Tradition, Family, Property
A special delegation from the lay movement Tradition, Family, Property (TFP) from several European countries also participated in the march. They stressed the need for moral renewal in France with banners and prayers. ‘With abortion, Europe will disappear,’ they warned in a recent campaign. Their presence underlined the international nature of the pro-life struggle and the shared conviction that every human life is precious.
Pro-life Movement is Alive and Well in France
With thousands of dedicated participants, a strong message, and a clear vision of a society that protects every life, the March for Life showed that the pro-life movement is alive and well in France. Participants showed a fighting spirit to put their beliefs to work. With rosary in hand, they walked the streets of Paris, a veritable stronghold of the Revolution. This is why we call on you too: pray and act to end the sin of abortion!
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