Several hundred people attended the vigil of prayer held for “the safeguarding of all nascent human life” by the new bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Douglas Crosby, on Saturday, November 27, in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton, in union with the world-wide call for a vigil by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

In his homily, Bishop Crosby spoke of the theme of “nascent human life,” which includes, he said, the lives of babies in the womb, the lives of the aged, sick and vulnerable and the lives of all people who can be said to be nascent in that they are seeking and finding new growth and new life in themselves. As such, he stressed the sanctity of all human life, and emphasized the common humanity of everyone, from the earliest stages of life beginning at fertilization through to natural death and all the progression of new growth in life of all people.

In a series of petitions, the community prayed for a number of intentions, protection of babies in the womb, protection and care for the sick, disabled and aged, wisdom for policy makers, and the welfare and success of the efforts of people who work in pro-life.

The prayer vigil was a selection of psalms, canticles and Scripture readings modelled on the Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. 

Bishop Crosby’s word echoed sentiments expressed by Pope Benedict in his homily at the vigil held at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“I wish to express my thanks to all who have taken up this invitation and those who are specifically dedicated to welcoming and safeguarding human life in different situations of fragility, especially in its early days and in its early stages,” the Pope said, as broadcast by Vatican Radio.

He stated that the “mystery of the Incarnation of the Lord and the beginning of human life are intimately connected and in harmony with each other. . .” and that from that “every human life has an incomparable, a most elevated dignity.”

He also spoke in terms that could be understood by any non-believer. He stressed that the embryo in the womb, as science shows, is “not an accumulation of biological material, but a new living being, dynamic and wonderfully ordered, a new unique human being.”

He added: “experience itself and reason show that the human being is a subject capable of discernment, self-conscious and free, unique and irreplaceable, the summit of all earthly things, that must be recognized in his innate value and always accepted with respect and love. He has the right not to be treated as an object of possession or something to manipulate at will, not to be reduced to a mere instrument for the benefit of others and their interests.”

He said he made his own the passionate appeal of Pope John Paul II: “respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness!”

For the full text of the Pope’s homily, please visit the link on the Lifesitenews website: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/popes-homily-for-historic-vigil-for-nascent-human-life-full-text