The week of June 12-19, 2005 created history in the Catholic Church of Antigua and in the nation of Antigua and Barbuda as it saw the birth of pro-life activities in that country.

These activities were carried out in direct response to a United Nations-sponsored conference held in Antigua on Friday, May 27, on women's reproductive health, which focused on legalising abortion for specific reasons, i.e. because of rape, incest, and danger to the health of the mother.

Violet D'Ornellas

Thanks to the efforts of Sr Therese Dookeran OP (Diocesan Youth Coordinator), the Emmanuel Community in Trinidad and Tobago was contacted and the two co-founders, Fr George Pritchett and Violet D'Ornellas, were invited by Bishop Donald Reece to address the Catholic community on the very important topic, “The Culture of Life".

Fr Pritchett was unable to attend, but Mrs D'Ornellas shared her 20-plus years of experience with services and ministries provided by the Emmanuel Community. Bishop Reece attended the presentation on the “Culture of Life” at the Cathedral on the Friday evening.

Other activities carried out by Emmanuel Community included:

• Sensitising and educating the core group, which assisted in carrying out the activities during the week.

• Sharing valuable information with RC priests on the island.

• Speaking on the history of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe – our Queen and Mother, Protectress of the Unborn - at a special procession and Eucharistic celebration, and also addressing a group of confirmands, parents and sponsors.

• Appearing on a live, phone-in radio programme along with two members of the Core Group.

• Presenting information to an ecumenical group on population control activities initiated by the American Birth Control League around 1919 and being continued up to the present time by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and United Nations agencies.

Also highlighted was how contraceptives, abortifacients and abortions were and are being used in these activities. The work of the Emmanuel Community in preventing abortions and assisting childless couples, as well as the support services and education necessary in a pro-life programme were discussed. Many questions were answered during this presentation.

The core group that coordinated these activities will become the first pro-life movement in Antigua and Barbuda. The group will carry out specific activities to prevent the legalising of abortion in Antigua and Barbuda .