March for Life and Family in Warsaw, Poland, Sept. 19, 2022. / Sr. Amata Nowaszewska
On Sunday, as part of the National March for Life and Family, an estimated 10,000 people walked the streets of Poland’s capital under the slogan “I Promise You.”
“Similar marches are organized throughout the year in 150 towns and cities in Poland, and gather several hundred thousand people”, Pawel Ozdoba, President of the Center for Life and Family responsible for organizing the march, told CNA.
Polish President Andrzej Duda greeted the participants in a special video message. He said: “I am very happy that you are again marching through the streets of Warsaw. Grandparents, parents, children and parents-to-be form a great joyful community here today. Together you are giving public testimony of your commitment to the noblest ideals. You express the conviction that a strong family means a successful future for our Country. I thank you from the heart for this,” emphasized the Polish President.
The march on Sept. 18 began with a concert by the popular band “Noah’s Ark.” Speeches followed. March organizer Pawel Ozdoba explained why this year’s motto was “I Promise You”, an expression from the wedding vows.
He said: “This year we want to remind spouses and those called to marriage of the meaning and significance of the marriage vow.” Accordingly, the renewal of marriage vows took place before the march began. The rite was presided over by Father Bogdan Bartold, pastor of the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Warsaw.
Participants of the March walked through the streets of Warsaw holding colorful balloons and red-and-white flags. They also carried banners with messages such as: “Life is beautiful,” “May children live,” “I choose life,” or “Fatherhood begins at conception. Equal responsibility. Equal rights.” In addition, spouses carried special badges on which they wrote their names and the number of years of married life.
The March was attended by several parents with children, married couples, public personalities, members of organisations and organisations, priests, seniors, and singles. It culminated in a solemn Mass. The event was organised under the auspices of the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Stanislaw Gdecki.
“Unfortunately, statistics show that currently every second marriage in Warsaw breaks up. Nationally, the situation is not much better, as statistically one in three marriages breaks up. These are dramatic figures that demand our firm response. That’s why we are showing the public that marriage can be happy,” Pawel Ozdoba, organizer of the March, told CNA.
For the sixteenth time, the event was held. Throughout the year, these marches are held in over 150 locations throughout Poland and attract hundreds of thousands of participants.