The Philippines campaign - Wow! Asia has two thirds of the world’s population and two thirds of the world’s abortions. Abortion is still illegal in the Philippines, the country with the largest Christian population in Asia. They had an epic campaign! 

Sister Maria del Transito de la Virgen from the Sisters of the Incarnate Word went to the Philippines to share her 16 years of pro-life experience in New York with the locals. 

Several sisters worked with her, including our Taiwan leader, Sister Maria Fidelis. They visited Bishops, the Knights of Columbus, different family and life groups, parishes, pilgrimages, and schools. 

There were many blessings and great preparations. People eagerly anticipated each activity and were enthusiastic about participating. News spread rapidly with daily Facebook reports, and more groups joined in prayer and outdoor activities. Next year, it is hoped that many more dioceses will participate. To God be the glory! 

The team also did prayers with the street children, went to Quiapo, where they sell herbs for abortions outside a Church. 

Vienna, Austria 

Thomas Buswell ran a 24-hour prayer marathon camping outside the Museum of Abortion and Contraception, also the largest abortion center in the country, taking turns to do the night vigil. 

His colleague Jeremiah C Wilcke is now the general secretary of the Youth for Life organization. He has the fire and passion to take the pro-life movement to the next level in Austria, in the German-speaking realm of Europe.

The tent is a brilliant vision for a campaign, and museum employees have visited it, asking what they are up to.

They have already witnessed a Private Catholic school go to visit the abortion museum. Since then, teachers have promised not to take the children back there. Thomas galvanized considerable support from the Vienna pro-life movement and inspired our international leaders.

In previous years, an abortion centre closed in Austria following a campaign. Now it is time to channel the passion and enthusiasm found from this campaign into scaling growth.

At the end of the campaign, the tent was vandalized at 2 am by Antifa, and the police visited them 3 times, but no permit was needed. 

Poland

An abortion centre has opened exactly opposite the Parliament on Wiejska Street to pressurize the Polish government to liberalize abortion. 

Abortion is still mostly illegal, but is permitted if pregnancy threatens the mother’s life or health, or results from rape or incest. The centre is called “Abotak” (meaning abortion and yes). 

Now the campaign has an obvious place to pray, where abortionists want to circumvent the law in the hope that the liberal government will tolerate them. 

Pro-abortion activists call themselves the abortion dream team, led by Justyna Wydrzyńska, who was found guilty of helping a woman have an abortion by sending her abortion pills.

Persecution 

Kingston, Jamaica

Signs have been vandalized, and the leaders have faced death threats. Over 50 volunteers turned up on the first day to fill the vigil. Security guards then came during vigil hours and reports were given to the police. Media attention followed, amidst the underbelly of support for abortion in Jamaica where abortion is illegal. 

The abortion facility called the police, saying volunteers were interfering with people going into the centre, which they were not. The police came and saw the volunteers praying peacefully. The team presses on fearlessly for the Kingdom of God and the saving of many lives! At least 4 lives have been saved in Jamaica. 

Frankfurt, Germany

In Frankfurt, the vigil can only occur with heavy police protection after 17 campaigns since 2017. Extremist feel even more encouraged to unleash their aggression. There are daily disruptions and provocations by masked and violence-prone extremists. 

United Kingdom 

In the United Kingdom, we have had a record level of viral international media coverage. 40 Days for Life leaders Adam Smith-Connor, Livia Tossici-Bolt, and Rose Docherty have been taken to court for peaceful, prayerful witness, with national buffer zone laws now taking effect. 

This has galvanized a national debate on abortion and impacted the consciences of millions of people. 

In Ealing, a turnaround from 12 years ago, came to say thank you, and showed pictures of her son. Not only that, another woman who was a turnaround 13 years ago, remarkably, also met volunteers considering abortion this year. 

The Buffer Zone has meant some campaigns have moved to a main road: areas where 1,000 cars are passing an hour - a full campaign leaves exposure to 480,000 cars during the campaign - that’s a lot of witness. Leicester, Sheffield, and Glasgow all have that level of exposure. 

Glasgow had a prayer vigil for 150 people outside the buffer zone on their tenth anniversary of the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Budapest, Hungary

Hungary has 11 prayer vigils in 9 different cities this Lent, by far a record, with reports that abortions have decreased in the city of Vac from 15 a day to 10 a day. They now have strong Episcopal support. Both Protestants and Catholics are joining vigils in Hungary.

The Catholic auxiliary Bishop of Budapest joins the Budapest vigil for a rally. The unique practice of prayer through flag-waving is practiced!

New Campaigns 

New campaigns started in Perugia, Italy, where Emiliana led a brilliant first-time campaign, filling the vigil hours heroically. They spoke with a lady considering abortion and pointed her in the right direction. 

In Mostar, Bosnia, with the Bishop’s blessing, many priests and nuns participated in the campaign. They had a great response from the public and worked with the hospital chaplain. Volunteers came in very large numbers, the campaign has gone very, very well. 

Prayers for the Netherlands, where campaigns continue to grow in Heemstede, with radio interviews and interactions with the abortion centre manager. 

Our Croatian friends report 8 lives saved! In Zagreb, a 24/7 vigil, the guard of St Joseph men do the night shift. Lives were also reported saved in London, Uganda, Taiwan and Nigeria. 

Wherever you live in the world, get out there and pray for an end to abortion; you might be astonished by the results! Thanks to our great leaders and volunteers for doing such an incredible job!