On March 25, 2025, Archbishop Enrique Benavent Vidal of Valencia, Spain, issued a powerful message in honor of the Day of the Unborn Child, coinciding with the Feast of the Annunciation.
The day commemorates the moment when the Virgin Mary consented to the conception of Jesus, marking a profound moment in Christian history.
In his address, the Archbishop called on Christians to defend human life from conception to natural death, emphasizing the importance of respecting life in all its forms.
A Call to Defend Human Life and Sowing Hope
In a pastoral letter titled “Defending Life Is Sowing Hope,” Archbishop Benavent urged the faithful to act as “sowers of hope.”
He encouraged them to fight for the dignity and rights of all people, highlighting that Christians have a responsibility to defend life in all situations.
The message stressed the value of life at every stage, from the unborn to the elderly, and reminded the faithful of their duty to care for and support vulnerable members of society.
Sowing Hope in Times of Suffering and Fear
The Archbishop also invited the faithful to take part in the 2025 Jubilee as a time to sow hope in the hearts of those who are suffering.
He pointed out that many people around the world live without hope, especially those facing extreme hardship.
This includes the sick, the young, migrants, exiles, the elderly, and families who fear the arrival of new life due to social pressures.
Advocating for the Dignity of All People
Archbishop Benavent underscored the urgency of supporting those whose dignity is under threat.
He noted that these are the individuals whose rights are often violated, such as victims of physical violence, deportations, and inhumane living conditions.
He also highlighted the plight of those subjected to arbitrary detention, prostitution, and the consequences of wars, gender ideology, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.
In his letter, he urged the Church and society to stand in solidarity with these groups, calling for actions that restore dignity and bring hope.
Through this message, Archbishop Enrique Benavent Vidal calls for a renewed commitment to protecting life at all stages, emphasizing that it is through defending life that hope can be truly sown in the world.
