Spain Hosts Pro-Life Congress: 1 Million Candles for Life

Organizers hope to see some 1 million flames to represent the lives lost through abortion since it was legalized in Spain.

ZARAGOZA, Spain (Zenit.org) - Zaragoza is hosting a Pro-life World Congress next month, and is calling for 1 million people to light a candle in honor of life.

The international congress, which is being promoted by the Spanish Federation of Pro-life Associations and organized by the Pro-life Association of Aragon, will take place Nov. 6-8.

The organizers are inviting people worldwide to send a text message through their cellular phones to donate a candle in honor of life.

On Nov. 7, the candles will be lit, and the organizers expressed the hope to see some 1 million flames, to represent the lives lost through abortion since it was legalized in Spain.

The congress will include internationally renowned speakers, and round-table discussions on different perspectives of the life issue: philosophic-anthropologic, scientific-medical, juridical-legislative, social and political.

As well, it has a special youth forum planned, to specifically address young people on the life issues.

The congress committee underlined the importance of promoting a culture of life in all aspects, by helping "the family as the basic pillar of solidarity and love, promoting the role of the woman -- the first host of life -- in her personal fulfillment to know her maternity as a social and personal benefit, protecting the children and the disadvantaged people and providing some clear advices to biomedical research."

The congress' honorary committee includes: Mary Ann Glendon, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Eduardo Verástegui, actor and producer of the film "Bella," and Evelyn Billings, who developed a method of natural family planning with her husband.