NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE FOR LIFE
WITNESSING THE GOSPEL OF LOVE AND THE GOSPEL OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY
c/o St. Clare Friary
440 West 36th Street New York, N.Y. 10018-6326
Voice: 212.868.1847
email: tnbcalife@aol.com

 News Release           November 3,  2010                   News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NBCAL and the Worldwide Vigil for the Unborn

         Saturday November 27, 2010
 

New York City (November 3, 2010) – Franciscan Father James E. Goode at the conclusion of a Bilingual Mass in New York City, honoring Saint Martin de Porres (Patron Saint of Black Catholics) , announced “that the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life enthusiastically supports and will participate in the upcoming Worldwide Vigil for the Unborn on Saturday November 27, 2010.”
 

“What a splendid way to end Black Catholic History Month by praying with the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, our Bishops, and the World, for the unborn”, stated Father James E. Goode, OFM, President of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life.

News Release from the USCCB: Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities

WASHINGTON (October 29, 2010) — On Saturday, November 27, Pope Benedict XVI will open the new liturgical year by celebrating a Vigil for All Nascent Human Life at
St. Peter’s Basilica. The pope has requested that “all diocesan bishops (and their equivalent) of every particular church preside in analogous celebrations involving the faithful in their respective parishes, religious communities,
associations and movements.”

Many dioceses have already made plans to celebrate this special worldwide vigil for the unborn. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariats of Divine Worship and of Pro-Life Activities have developed resources to help other parishes, religious communities and organizations participate. English and Spanish language worship aids are available in multiple formats at www.usccb.org/prolife/papalvigil.

“Nascent human life is under attack in a myriad of ways,” said Deirdre McQuade, assistant director for policy and communications at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. “In the United States alone, over 50 million unborn children have lost their lives to abortion since Roe v. Wade.” In addition to abortion, “embryonic stem cell research kills human beings at their earliest stages in the name of science.
Reproductive technologies destroy or indefinitely freeze many more lives than are ever born,” she said.
 

McQuade added, “This unprecedented worldwide vigil is a fitting start to Advent when we prepare for the Nativity of Jesus Christ, who gave every life its full
worth and dignity.”

Since the Vigil for All Nascent Human Life falls on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, four different worship options—including longer and shorter forms—are suggested for local use or adaptation. Following directives given by the Vatican and approved by the USCCB, all four options include Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Rubrics are also provided for priests and liturgy directors.
           
Offered as Respect Life Month draws to a close in the United States, these prayer aids help fulfill the bishops’ commitment to uphold the God-given dignity of all human life.

www.blackcatholicsforlife.org  

 

The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life was inaugurated in the fall of 1997, with the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the
Franciscan Solid Ground Ministry as sponsors and with the support of the late John Cardinal O'Connor, then Archbishop of New York and the Archdiocesan Office of Black Ministry - Brother Tyrone A. Davis, CFC, Executive Director.  Since then, NBCAL Affiliates
have been established throughout the United States.