Warsaw’s National March for Life: A “Sign of Opposition to Those Who Raise a Hand Against Unborn Children”

“Faith and Fidelity 966–2026″—under this slogan (referring to the 1060th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland), another National March for Life marched through the streets of the Polish capital, Warsaw. The event began at 11:00 a.m. with Holy Masses celebrated in the Archcathedral Basilica of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, as well as in the Warsaw-Praga Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian. Later, Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) was filled with thousands of people holding banners with life-affirming slogans, flags in the Polish national colors, as well as ones representing movements and associations and featuring important historic figures.

In the first part of the meeting, participants listened to short speeches by representatives of the organizers and pro-life movements, as well as guests. One of them was the chaplain to the President of the Republic of Poland, Fr. Jarosław Wąsowicz, who thanked those gathered for their testimony, for their presence, and for fulfilling the legacy left by previous generations.

“John Paul II called the Jasna Góra Vows of the Polish Nation, Poland’s charter of human rights,” said the clergyman.

At the same time, he recalled the support of President Karol Nawrocki, who welcomed the participants of the National March for Life as they approached the Presidential Palace.

“Thousands of people in the heart of Warsaw are showing how important life is for Poland, how important family is for Poland. That is why the President of Poland must be here today. Thank you to the organizers and the wonderful Polish families,” said Karol Nawrocki. He stressed that the march initiative is necessary and responds to the severe demographic crisis.

The National March for Life made its way through the streets of Warsaw last Sunday. We thank all participants for the great turnout and for their help in organizing this event.

As participants in the March for Life made their way along Senatorska and Wierzbowa Streets, through Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square, and again toward Castle Square—via Królewska Street and Krakowskie Przedmieście—songs, pro-life slogans, and speeches rang out.

“We are at this march because we know that human life begins at conception. And we must defend it. This National March for Life is a sign of opposition to all those who raise a hand against unborn children,” said Marcin Perłowski, director of the Center for Life and Family and vice president of the Ordo Iuris Institute, in another speech.

He emphasized that in today’s reality, animal life is valued more than human life.

“Posters in the Warsaw subway have featured appeals to protect the lives of rats; last week, a protest was held in front of Warsaw City Hall in defense of wild boars; recently, the whole of Poland was galvanized by the issue of protecting the lives of dogs,” he said.

“And what about the rights of unborn children? What about their lives?” – he asked.

As he noted, there are many indications that abortion bills will be taken up again in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland.

“We do not consent to this! This march is the spark. From this march, a clear message goes out to the Sejm and to every corner of Poland: Stop abortion! Stop abortion! Yes to Life!” – he appealed.

At Castle Square, Prof. Tonio Borg, chairman of the European Federation “One of Us,” who came to the March at the invitation of the Polish Federation of Pro-Life Movements, called for courage to actively engage in the defense of life and to bear witness to concern for the weakest threatened by abortion.

“Do not be afraid of being slandered and mocked because you seek to protect life from the moment of conception. Don’t be afraid when they sideline you and call you all kinds of names, because you are defending life. Do not be afraid to openly demonstrate your commitment to life and to put pressure on lawmakers and influential people in order to defend life. Do not be afraid to organize in order to show Europe and the world that the unborn child is one of us,” he said, referring to St. John Paul II’s 1979 appeal to Poles.

Prof. Borg cited the example of Malta, from which he hails. Killing children through abortion is prohibited there. In difficult cases where the mother’s life is at risk, doctors save both patients, but this is the only situation in which the child may die in order to save the mother’s life. Prof. Tonio Borg emphasized that the Catholic Church in Malta supports pro-life movements, but rejected the rhetoric of the abortion lobby suggesting that Christian values are being imposed on non-believers as well

“Our answer is: abortion is not wrong because the Christian churches condemn it; rather, the Christian churches condemn abortion because it is wrong,” —he stressed.

At the same time, the chairman of the European Federation “One of Us” noted that for the first time, under the European Social Fund, which has existed for 70 years, funds contributed by all taxpayers will be used to finance abortions in all Community countries.

“his is illegal. This is contrary to the principle of subsidiarity,” he added, announcing that the organization he chairs opposes this decision.

“We looked away from this modern-day holocaust out of selfishness. But all is not lost. If we can muster our forces, combine them, and remain united, we can achieve results,” —added Professor Borg. He also recalled that the European Union was founded on Christian values and should remind Europe and the world that it is proud of them.

This year’s March for Life in Warsaw concluded with a concert by the young Polish singer anMari and a picnic at Castle Square

The organizers of the March for Life were the St. Benedict Foundation and numerous pro-life associations and institutions. The event is under the honorary patronage of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The Center for Life and Family and the Ordo Iuris Institute were partners of the event.

The National March for Life concluded the “Time for Love” initiative.

 Read also:

• Statement on the rejection by the Polish Sejm of a bill decriminalizing abortion

• Number of Children Dying in Polish Hospitals Is Rising Rapidly — Mainly Due to Abortions for “Psychological Reasons”