The International Day of
the Unborn Child is observed annually on March 25 to honour the value and
dignity of unborn children and to promote a culture that respects all human
life from conception. It was established in 1999 by Pope John Paul II, this day
coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation, symbolising the moment of the
Incarnation when, according to Christian belief, Jesus was conceived in the
womb of the Virgin Mary.
The observance of this day began in 1993 when El Salvador declared a 'Day of the Right to Be Born.' Following this, several predominantly Catholic countries officially recognised the day:
Argentina: Day of the Unborn (1998)
Chile: Day of the Conceived and Unborn (1999)
Guatemala: National
Day of the Unborn (1999)
Costa
Rica: National Day of Life Before Birth (1999)
Nicaragua: Day of
the Unborn Child (2000)
Dominican
Republic: Day of the Unborn Child (2001)
Peru: Day
of the Unborn Child (2002)
Paraguay: Day
of the Unborn Child (2003)
Philippines: Day
of the Unborn Child (2004)
Honduras: Day of
the Unborn Child (2005)
Ecuador: Day
of the Unborn Child (2006)
Puerto Rico: Day of the Unborn Child (2018)
These observances reflect a global recognition of the sanctity of unborn life.
Significance
The International Day of the Unborn Child serves multiple
purposes:
Affirming Life's Value: It
emphasises the inherent worth of every human being from the moment of
conception.
Raising Awareness: The observance
highlights the rights of unborn children and advocates against practices like
abortion.
Promoting a Culture of Life: It encourages societies to foster environments that respect
and protect life at all stages.
Pope John Paul II described the day as 'a positive option in
favour of life and the spread of a culture for life to guarantee respect for
human dignity in every situation.'
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