Ibero-American Conference of 40 Days for Life December 2022

Last December 2022, about 16 countries fulfilled their annual appointment to meet again at the sixth Ibero-American Congress of 40 Days for Life, which took place in Bogota, the capital of Colombia.

The Congress was characterized by gathering leaders from various countries in the region, and with them, their cultures and traditions, which merged into one, with the symbol of joy that characterizes Ibero-America.

The 350 congress participants, including leaders, volunteers, and their families, were able to share their experiences with the 40DFL community, meet and share with part of the Executive Team of 40 Days for Life who traveled from the United States, and with its co-founder and President Shawn Carney; as well as being touched by the impactful testimonies of two former workers of the world's largest abortion corporation (Planned Parenthood): Ramona Treviño and Mayra Rodríguez.

The event filled its attendees with joy and showed them the gratitude that 40 Days for Life has for being a fundamental part of the movement and making it possible with their voluntary and generous commitment. On Saturday night, the singer-songwriters of Miracle of Life album, released in 2019 by 40 Days for Life Colombia, were there and gave a concert full of chords with a deep meaning in the meditation of the miracle and beauty of human life even in complex life situations.

The closing of the Congress was marked by an impactful experience for the attendees, as they were transported to the Teusaquillo neighborhood located in the center of Bogotá city, where the largest abortion business in the Region takes place; it has more than 30 abortion centers, both legal and illegal, in front of which two 40 Days for Life vigils are held.

On Sunday, however, and despite the pain that many could feel upon seeing this complex reality, the volunteers were able to pray in front of each of these, learn about the sidewalk counseling conducted by 40 Days volunteers, and conclude by visiting the women's support center that Colombian volunteers have opened in the same neighborhood to develop the Moms 40 project.

This project provides a concrete response in the spiritual, emotional, and material realms to unexpectedly pregnant mothers in crisis seeking help.

All these experiences lived at the Congress ended with the Holy Mass celebrated on Sunday at the Santa Ana church located in the heart of the same neighborhood, making this a symbol of how God's love brings mercy to these places wounded by despair and the death of innocent children.

The Congress left imprinted in the hearts of all the faith, hope, and love necessary to continue this spiritual battle for the defense of human life with the peaceful and public prayer that takes place in more than 250 vigils of 40 Days for Life in Ibero-America.