10,000 at March for Life in Paris focus on abortion and assisted dying

Approximately 10,000 pilgrims gathered in Paris, France, on January 18 for the nation's annual March for Life.

Key Takeaways:

• Nearly 10,000 people descended on Paris for the annual March for Life on January 18

• The average age of marchers was just 20 years old

• Marchers were focused not only on abortion, but also on the nation's push to legalize euthanasia

• Organizers said they wish the Catholic bishops in the nation were more supportive of the March and the fight to protect life.

The Details:

Pro-lifers gather in Paris each year for the annual March, which occurs around January 17 — the date when the Veil Act legalizing abortion in France was passed in 1975.

According to EWTN News, this year's crowd featured enthusiastic marchers with an average age of just 20 years old. While attendees marched for the protection of the preborn, they also focused on end-of-life issues like euthanasia; the French Senate recently voted down a bill to legalize assisted dying in the nation, but efforts to promote euthanasia haven't waned.

“Going out into the street seems essential to us,” Marie-Lys Pellissier, the 24-year-old spokeswoman for the March for Life in France, told the National Catholic Register. “It is the only moment in the year when we can publicly express our opposition to abortion and euthanasia and propose concrete solutions. The rest of the time, the media never give us the floor.”

Behind The Scenes:

The country's pro-life Catholics have expressed dismay that their bishops and pastors have not been more openly supportive of the March.

“Every year, we write to the bishops to invite them to the March for Life, to announce the date, and to ask them to come,” said Pellissier. “Some never respond. Others assure us of their prayers. And sometimes we are told, very frankly, that it is not their priority.”

She noted that the nation's bishops released an op-ed condemning the proposal to legalize euthanasia — a move appreciated by pro-lifers — but that letter neglected any mention of the March for Life.

One bishop who did not shy away from attending was Bishop Dominique Rey.

“We must not touch life. Life is a gift from God,” Rey told EWTN News. “In the defense of life, we need freedom and the courage not to be afraid, even when some media are very opposed to the defense of life, liberty, and freedom.”

He continued: “In France, in Europe, and in the world, we need the courage of the Church to say that this is very important for the future of humanity and for the future of the Church: to be strongly engaged in the defense of life.”