Covid-19: Brazil’s Bishops join in virtual March for Life

By Devin Watkins

“Now is the time to invite all of Brazilian society to unite in defense of life.”

The “Front for Life” movement launched the virtual March for Life with that invitation.

Held on 9 June, the march seeks to “propose effective actions and a concrete response to the coronavirus pandemic.”

Uniting society

The initiative sees several local institutions joining forces, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Brazil, Order of Lawyers, Press Association, Science Academy, and the Progress Society.

The goal is to unite “civil society, politicians, economists, scientific researchers, and business men and women” to fight the Covid-19 pandemic together.

Wide-ranging crisis

Brazil has been hard-hit by the novel coronavirus.

Confirmed Covid-19 cases are close to reaching 750,000. New cases range from 18,000 to 30,000 each day.

Over 37,000 people have died with the virus.

Protecting life

In a press statement, Brazil’s Bishops reaffirmed the Church’s long history of protecting life.

“Our participation in the March for Life stems from the Gospel of John: ‘I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly’,” say the Bishops.

The Front for Life adds that the twin economic and health crises show that only profound dialogue can mitigate the damages inflicted by Covid-19.

“We must avoid a further increase in the number of dead,” the movement says. “We are in need of more solidarity, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable.”

Helping the local Church

The Catholic Church continues to assist those suffering from the coronavirus emergency.

Aid to the Church in Need recently announced 11 new projects in Brazil.

The initiative will provide financial assistance to 169 priests, 141 religious sisters, 31 seminarians, and 56 lay missionaries who are helping their local communities.

Parishes across the country are working to collect foodstuffs in order to provide at least one meal a day to families in need.