In light of the often discouraging advances of the Culture of Death, it is good to remember the positive strides being made by pro-lifers around the world. This month’s report details the many activities occurring throughout Latin America at the capable hands of numerous pro-life soldiers—including HLI’s affiliates.
PUERTO RICO—Hundreds of Catholics and other Christians held a March for Life in San Juan on 21 January 2002. For the event, His Excellence, Monsignor Roberto Gonzalez, archbishop of San Juan, celebrated Mass with Fr. Mateo Mateo, Fr. Tomas Travers and Fr. Mario Mesa. Archbishop Gonzalez encouraged pro-lifers in their work and promised to be with them for the next March for Life. Only six pro-abortionists showed up to protest. (Report from Maria Elena Gonzalez of HLI’s Puerto Rico affiliate, Centro San Jose.)
PANAMA—Fundacion Ofrece un Hogar (Offer a Home Foundation) inaugurated a new branch in the province of Santiago de Veraguas to help homeless children and families in crisis. (Report by Dr. Ivonne de Martinelli, president of Fundacion Ofrece un Hogar, HLI’s affiliate in Panama.)
COLOMBIA—There are now two new pregnancy centers, started by Fundacion Cultura de la Vida Humana (Culture of Human Life Foundation), in cooperation with a local group called Fundacion Pro Vida Digna. One center is located in Cazuca, a section of Bogota that has the greatest poverty, and the other in Teusaquillo, where five abortion clinics are located. The entire second floor of a house owned by a Catholic parish in Teusaquillo was provided to establish the center there. Psychologists, counselors and other community leaders have offered their help as volunteers for the centers. (Report by Marta Saiz de Rueda, president of Fundacion Cultura de la Vida Humana, HLI’s affiliate in Colombia.)
VENEZUELA—HLI has a new affiliate in this country: Voluntarias por la Vida (Volunteers for Life), which runs its own crisis pregnancy center and a home for unwed mothers called Vida y Esperanza (Life & Hope Center)—the first of its kind in Estado Vargas. During the first years of their ministry, the Volunteers opened the doors of their home to young homeless mothers and orphaned children. Last year, Vida Humana Internacional (VHI) invited them to participate in a week-long training seminar at its Miami office and sponsored their attendance at the Second Latin American Encounter for CPC’s, held in Mexico by the Aid to Women Network and co-funded by VHI. It was then that the Volunteers decided to open their CPC center and home for homeless mothers and their children, based on the principles and methods learned at those training sessions. Volunteers for Life is also promoting chastity and has a “True Love Waits” program in Venezuela. VHI is very happy to report that its representative in that country is Fr. Argenis Ramos, a very holy priest who is working hard to establish union among all the groups that work in defense of life and family.
CHILE—Monsignor Tomas Gonzales Morales, bishop of Punta Arenas, sent a letter of support to Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, president of HLI, citing “the beautiful mission for life that you are carrying on.” He added: “May the Lord bless your work!” HLI’s affiliate in Chile is Movimiento Anonimo por la Vida (Anonymous Movement for Life), which runs two pregnancy centers, one in Santiago and the other in Valparaiso.
Fr. John W. Swope, SJ, executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and secretariat for the Church in Latin America, visited VHI’s Miami office, accompanied by Mrs. Maria Delia Salazar, president of Peru Missions. Mrs. Salazar works very closely with the Peruvian bishops and has been collaborating with VHI for many years. Fr. Swope was informed about VHI’s work in the Hispanic countries and was given brochures and books, including HLI’s newly printed “Catholics for a Free Choice—Exposed” and “The Facts of Life, 2nd Edition.”
Radio France International interviewed Magaly Llaguno, executive director of VHI. The reporter was able to contact VHI through its website at www.vidahumana.org. Recently VHI launched the English language section of its website—be sure to visit.
VHI is reaching out to countless people all over the world!
(This article courtesy of HLI Reports, a publication of Human Life International.)
