A publication by 40 Days for Life International
MAGAZINE ENGLISH VERSION
NEWS
INDEX ISSUE # 2Sleeping elephant
Robert Colquhoun
40DFL International Campaigns Director
Nearly two thirds of the world’s abortions take place in Asia. China alone accounts for nearly 400 million abortions since it adopted its infamous and brutal one-child policy in 1980. The US Government increased its estimate of abortions in China from 13 million to 23 million a year. Roe vs Wade was a trumpet call to awaken Churches reminiscent of a sleeping giant, so they can speak up for those who cannot speak.
South Korea has just had its Roe vs Wade moment in 2021 when abortion was decriminalized by court order. But thanks to 40 Days for Life, South Koreans are learning the value of a public witness for life. Seoul is already on its third 40 Days campaign since starting in 2021.
Sister Maria Fidelis, an Argentinian missionary nun living in Taiwan, leads the 40 Days for Life campaign in this country. There has been a historic and unprecedented unity with more than 30 groups committed to fulfilling 12 hours of prayer publicly every day. Praying in public was a challenge for Taiwanese volunteers. There are no dedicated clinics for abortion; you may freely choose any public or private hospital. Most people are afraid of opposing the law and choose doing public prayer in a safe environment. In the Taiwanese regime, you cannot openly oppose the existing laws but you can offer to everyone the pure message of life.
Year-round activities at the pro-life centre have included formation talks, social services, liturgies, the March for life and Sing for life initiatives that have been profoundly fruitful.
China has a very deep scar on its soul. Jonny Fan is a Christian, living in Chengdu. Abortion is easily available in every city of China. Some hospitals even provide special discounts for students during summer holidays.
A friend of Jonny works as a vice manager in a hospital that provides abortions. He told him about a pregnant woman who was desperately asking for an abortion, a young and pretty Uyghur woman in an emotional shock, that only had a week left until her due date.
The doctor could legally do a late-term abortion, but they cared about her and tried to persuade her to reconsider. She insisted and threatened to leave and kill herself if they refused to perform the abortion immediately. Jonny’s friend asked if he could find a family to take care of the baby, offering her another choice, a choice for two. Two days later, the choice for life was made. It was in the same operating room, with the same doctor, maybe with the same drugs. The only difference was the baby’s life was respected.
Mothers and unborn babies have been treated harshly in Asia. But where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. A saved baby can be the beginning of a waterfall of hope. This generation in China is the first one after the one-child policy. They have heard the birth control propaganda. When they see the abortion images behind the words, they are totally shocked. When Christians are compelled to act, the sleeping elephant can finally awaken.
South Korea
South Korea has just had its Roe vs Wade moment in 2021 when abortion was decriminalized by court order. But thanks to 40 Days for Life, South Koreans are learning the value of a public witness for life. Seoul is already on its third 40 Days campaign since starting in 2021.
Taiwan
Sister Maria Fidelis, an Argentinian missionary nun living in Taiwan, leads the 40 Days for Life campaign in this country. There has been a historic and unprecedented unity with more than 30 groups committed to fulfilling 12 hours of prayer publicly every day. Praying in public was a challenge for Taiwanese volunteers. There are no dedicated clinics for abortion; you may freely choose any public or private hospital. Most people are afraid of opposing the law and choose doing public prayer in a safe environment. In the Taiwanese regime, you cannot openly oppose the existing laws but you can offer to everyone the pure message of life.
Year-round activities at the pro-life centre have included formation talks, social services, liturgies, the March for life and Sing for life initiatives that have been profoundly fruitful.
China
China has a very deep scar on its soul. Jonny Fan is a Christian, living in Chengdu. Abortion is easily available in every city of China. Some hospitals even provide special discounts for students during summer holidays.
A friend of Jonny works as a vice manager in a hospital that provides abortions. He told him about a pregnant woman who was desperately asking for an abortion, a young and pretty Uyghur woman in an emotional shock, that only had a week left until her due date.
The doctor could legally do a late-term abortion, but they cared about her and tried to persuade her to reconsider. She insisted and threatened to leave and kill herself if they refused to perform the abortion immediately. Jonny’s friend asked if he could find a family to take care of the baby, offering her another choice, a choice for two. Two days later, the choice for life was made. It was in the same operating room, with the same doctor, maybe with the same drugs. The only difference was the baby’s life was respected.
Mothers and unborn babies have been treated harshly in Asia. But where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. A saved baby can be the beginning of a waterfall of hope. This generation in China is the first one after the one-child policy. They have heard the birth control propaganda. When they see the abortion images behind the words, they are totally shocked. When Christians are compelled to act, the sleeping elephant can finally awaken.
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