It gives me great joy to announce that our March for Life was a huge success! It was organized under the initiative of the Archdiocese of Managua and the Nicaraguan Pro-Life Association (ANPROVIDA ), Human Life International's affiliate in our country.

This historic event started at 8 am August 31st, 2000, when His Eminence Miguel Cardinal Obando Bravo, Archbishop of Managua, led exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before a huge crowd, which filled the Cathedral in Managua and neighboring parks. Also in attendance were the Auxiliary Bishop of Managua Msgr. Jorge Solorzano, the Bishop of Leon Msgr.Bosco Vivas and all the archdiocesan clergy; as well as the President of Nicaragua Dr. Arnoldo Aleman and his wife Maria Fernanda (who's pregnant), almost all the ministers of his govt., other govt. officials, businessmen and women, professionals, etc., along with the poorest citizens. It was a communion of love and faith of all different sectors of the people of Nicaragua. After the blessing, the March for Life began.

One of the floats that participated in the march was full of handicapped children, some of whom were holding posters that read : " I want to live!", "Yes to life!" Other floats carried pregnant women. There were posters everywhere such as "Don't let them fool you, to abort is to kill"; "Yes to life, yes to love"; "Woman: The Church is with you"; "Thank your mother for not having aborted you", etc. As they walked, people chanted these slogans. The President of Nicaragua estimated that 100,000 people took part. It took more than 20 minutes for me to leave the Cathedral and join the march because there were so many people, that I could not advance to the front.

Upon arrival at the National Assembly, a Celebration of God's Word took place. The readings were Jeremiah 31: 15 (Rachel crying for her children), a Psalm and the Gospel on the flight to Egypt and the killing of the innocents (Matthew 2:13-18). Standing on the platform were Cardinal Obando Bravo, the President of Nicaragua and his First Lady, as well as the First Secretary to the National Assembly (Nicaraguan congress) and part of the clergy. The message delivered by Cardinal Obando Bravo in defense of the dignity of human life, women and the people of Nicaragua, was powerful. He said :" A people that kills its children because of iniquitous laws, puts its own future in danger, (as well as the) the basis for justice, freedom and life in common." The cardinal also called on political parties and human rights organizations to speak out on abortion. He then delivered a letter to the First Lady and another one to the President of the National Assembly, in which based on the juridical principles of our Constitution, our laws and the agreements signed by Nicaragua in defense of human rights; a petition is made to eliminate the clause of our Penal Code that allows "therapeutic"abortion. The request was made that all abortions be penalized.

Dr.Arnoldo Aleman, President of our country, explained why he, his family and his officials were there : so that a message would be sent to all Nicaraguans that his stand is "Yes to life and no to death".(1) He declared : " Let all the nation know that the President, the First Lady and all (the president's) officials, want to rescue those respect for life principles which were taught to us by our parents and grandparents".

The March for Life had extensive national and international media coverage. However, there was also a negative reaction on the part of the promoters of the "culture of death". While the cardinal was giving his speech, a group of women from the National Feminist Committee protested in front of the National Assembly. This same group of anti-life feminists paid for a full page ad in a Nicaraguan newspaper, condemning the march, the president and his wife, as well as public officials also present and, of course, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. They accused the church of "having an absolutist stand" and of allying itself at the international level, with the "most obscurantist views" of "ecclesial power".(2)

The Catholic Church, represented by Cardinal Obando Bravo, the government of Nicaragua and the 100,000 people from all walks of life who attended the March for Life; gave testimony to the fact that the majority of the people of Nicaragua respect and defend life. The recent Cid-Gallup poll conducted also showed that this is true. Those pro-life convictions should be reflected in our laws.

Notes: 1. "Miles marchan contra el aborto terapéutico" ("Thousands March Against Theurapeutic Abortion"), La Prensa Digital, September 1st, 2000. 2. La Prensa, August 31st, 2000.