New Liturgical Guide Helps Priests Preach Pro-Life Perspective on Abortion
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 15, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — A new liturgical guide written and distributed by the head of Priests for Life aims to help priests preach the pro-life perspective on abortion. Fr. Frank Pavone, the head of the Catholic group, says the guide is the culmination of a three-year project to assist pastors.
“For the past three years, I have written homily hints on how to take the readings assigned to each Sunday and preach on abortion,” Father Pavone told LifeNews.com.
“The lectionary has a three-year Sunday cycle, and today we completed the reflections for each Sunday of each of the three years. Now, these homily hints can be used as each cycle continues to repeat through the years," he explained.
Pavone tells LifeNews.com that many priests do not preach on abortion because they are not sure how to go from the Sunday readings into that topic.
"However, every line of Scripture is about life," Pavone says. "These weekly guides to preaching on abortion show how that is true and provide the insight and suggestions the priests need to address the issue in light of the readings."
Pavone also says the liturgical guide helps priests stay within the confines of the teachings of the Catholic Church and its leaders.
The prayers and information in the guide "help to fulfill the request the US bishops have made in their Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities."
The bishops’ document says Catholic churches should include prayers during Mass for a nation that is pro-life.
The homily hints likewise give the priest reference to Church documents and current developments in the pro-life movement, he indicated.
The reflections are available online and both priests and church leaders can also receive a weekly email with the homily hints for upcoming Sundays. They can also receive a set of General Intercessions for Mass and a paragraph on pro-life issues for the parish bulletin.
Pavone says he has already heard from priests and lay people alike who are excited about the guide.
Related web sites:
Priests for Life Liturgical Guide – https://www.priestsforlife.org/liturgy
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