Madrid, Spain, Feb 22, 2012 / 04:03 pm (CNA/Europa Press).- Around 400 civic groups in Spain are joining together to support a pro-life demonstration set for March 24 in downtown Madrid.

Alicia Latorre, director of the Spanish Federation of Pro-life Associations, said many organizations have been working hard for years in Spain to defend human life “in a thousand different ways.”

“Each day there are more and more fronts being opened, and each day we are more convinced that this cause is worth it, as evil is only overcome with the effort and unity of all,” she told Europa Press on Feb. 21. 

The organization “Si a la Vida” (“Yes to Life”) has called for the massive demonstration to take place to commemorate the International Day of the Unborn Child, which is celebrated on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation.

Rallies will be taking place across Spain, Latorre added, “so that everyone will have a place nearby where they can go.”

The main event will take place at the Puerta del Sol in downtown Madrid and will be led by popular Spanish actor and television host Miguel Angel Tobias.

Latorre said pro-life organizations in Spain are committed to continue battling to ensure that “the right to life and the dignity of man in every stage of life is recognized and ensured not only in the law but also in society itself.”

On the new administration in Spain and its announcement that the country’s law on abortion would be reformed, Latorre said she was “pleased” at “any step in the right direction.” However, she pointed out, the “message is going to change depending on which political party is in power.”

“Our laws must completely ensure the right to life, and this is still not the case,” she continued.  For this reason, Spaniards must demand laws that guarantee human life “from its beginning to its natural end, in any circumstances.”

Miguel Angel Tobias said the gathering will be an “non-confessional and non-political event” open to everyone to celebrate life as something “sacred.”  He said numerous celebrities and athletes would be participating in the demonstration, including pop star Nan Daconte, who is seven months pregnant.

“Si a la Vida” organizers say they hope to make the event an annual occurrence to demand respect for human life and the right to life as the first of all human rights.

Washington D.C., Feb 22, 2012 / 03:16 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Iranian authorities may have issued an execution order for a pastor jailed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.

“The news out of Iran is not encouraging,” said Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice.

The D.C.-based human rights organization said that it has received information from its contacts in Iran that execution orders for Yousef Nadarkhani may have been issued.

A spokesman for the organization told CNA that Nadarkhani was still alive as of Feb. 21.

However, the situation is “dire,” the group said, and there is a need for prayer and increased efforts to focus international attention and pressure on Iran.

Sekulow said that the Iranian regime might have “decided to move forward by issuing an execution order” while international attention “is focused elsewhere.”

He explained that pressure from around the globe is essential because Iran's top officials still have the power to reject the order.

Nadarkhani has been in jail since 2009, when he was arrested after complaining to local authorities about his son being forced to read the Quran at school.

Despite threats of execution for apostasy, the Christian pastor has refused to renounce his faith.

An appeals court agreed with Nadarkhani’s assertion that he had never been a Muslim during his adult life. However, it also decided that because he had left the faith of his ancestors, he must recant or die.

Amid growing international pressure, Iranian officials then asked the nation’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, for an “opinion” on the case.

The court had promised to issue a decision by December if the Supreme Leader did not reply. However, no ruling has been issued, and Nadarkhani has remained in jail.

A statement by the American Center for Law and Justice said that it is unclear whether Nadarkhani would have a right to appeal the execution order.
 
Although all publicly held executions must be approved by the head of Iran’s Judiciary Chief, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, most executions in Iran are carried out secretly rather than in public, it explained.

The statement also observed a “disturbing increase” in the number of executions carried out by the Iranian regime in recent weeks. 

Sekulow and his colleagues have been following Nadarkhani’s situation for several months, raising awareness for the pastor’s plight through efforts including a Twitter campaign and online petition, which has received more than 35,000 signatures.

On Feb. 17, Congressman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) introduced a resolution condemning the Iranian government and calling for the release of Nadarkhani.

Efforts are now intensifying to raise support for that resolution and other awareness initiatives that may save the condemned pastor’s life.

The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrates the papacy and St. Peter as the first bishop of Rome. St. Peter's original name was Simon. He was married with children and was living and working in Capernaum as a fisherman when Jesus called him to be one of the Twelve Apostles.Jesus bestowed to Peter a special place among the Apostles. He was one of the three who were with Christ on special occasions, such as the Transfiguration of Christ and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani. He was the only Apostle to whom Christ appeared on the first day after the Resurrection. Peter, in turn, often spoke on behalf of the Apostles.When Jesus asked the Apostles: "Whom do men say that the Son of Man is?"Simon replied: "Thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God.�And Jesus said: "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood have not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to you: That you are Peter [Cephas, a rock], and upon this rock [Cephas] I will build my Church [ekklesian], and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven". (Mt 16:13-20)In saying this Jesus made St. Peter the head of the entire community of believers and placed the spiritual guidance of the faithful in St. Peter’s hands.However, St. Peter was not without faults. He was rash and reproached often by Christ. He had fallen asleep in the Garden of Gethsemani instead of praying, as Jesus had asked him to do. He also denied knowing Jesus three times after Christ’s arrest.Peter delivered the first public sermon after the Pentecost and won a large number of converts. He also performed many miracles and defended the freedom of the Apostles to preach the Gospels. He preached in Jerusalem, Judaea, and as far north as Syria.He was arrested in Jerusalem under Herod Agrippa I, but miraculously escaped execution. He left Jerusalem and eventually went to Rome, where he preached during the last portion of his life. He was crucified there, head downwards, as he had desired to suffer, saying that he did not deserve to die as Christ had died.The date of St. Peter's death is not clear. Historians estimate he was executed between the years 64 and 68. His remains now rest beneath the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

12 Now therefore saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning.13 And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.14 Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God?15 Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly,16 Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride chamber.17 Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God?18 The Lord hath been zealous for his land, and hath spared his people.