Forge of the Leaders Pro-Life

On 28 June, in Kraków Łagiewniki, the program of prenatal education “Pro-Life Leaders' Kitchen” was officially completed. The yearly cycle of lectures completed 42 graduates.

"Pro-Life Leaders' Couture" is simply a prenatal education program prepared for students and graduates of humanities, theological, medical and social fields. It consists of 4 modules: lecture, practical, conference and formation. Piotr Guzdek, the founder of “Kuźni” and associate of the board of the Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life, dr n. med. Dorota Jarczewska, o. dr n. theol. Samuel Karwacki OSPPE, dr n. hum. Emilia Lichtenberg-Kokoszka, dr n. med. Iwon Rawick, and dr n. med. Justyna Stępkowska. Fr. Krzysztof Niewiadowski OFMCap was liable for the spiritual formation.

During the closing ceremony in the hall of the Łagiewnica sanctuary, the participants listened to the conference of Father Samuel Karwacki, Paulin, coordinator of the work of the spiritual adoption of the conceived child. – spiritual adoption of the kid conceived today, more than ever, is an essential tool for fighting for the future of our civilization," said Paulin. He emphasized that in Poland influences are expanding to undermine fundamental values, specified as the sanctity of matrimony and the fact about human life beginning with conception. The priest noted that pressures on the legalization of abortion are increasing, false freedom is promoted, and God’s order is rejected in respect to values. The adoption of a spiritual adoption is to be the consequence of Christians to times of confusion and 1 way to build a civilization that respects all life.

Dr. Piotr Guzdek, on the another hand, spoke about the challenges facing the leaders of pro-life movements. – Although many say that the deficiency of unity of pro-life movements is the most crucial problem of this environment, I cannot agree with this thesis. In my opinion, the most crucial challenge facing pro-life activists is to rediscover the charism of the service of life and teaching the Second Vatican Council on secular tasks in the Church. Charisme in itself the service of maintaining unity and communion. This is simply a fundamental issue without which 1 cannot make a Catholic pro-life environment – Dr. Guzdek said. Speaking of the temptations which the activists are tempted by, he pointed out, among another things, excessive, disproportionate activity in the media. “Pro-life activities are frequently limited to “facebook pro-life”, without engagement in favour of circumstantial families outside social media. Facebook campaigns – in fact marketing – frequently aim solely at promoting their own image, not prenatal education," he added.

During the meeting, the graduates of “Kuźni” shared their impressions. – We decided to join the Pro-Life Leaders' Forge due to the fact that we knew that we could anticipate substantive content. We are connected to the pro-life environment, for example, from the very fact that we have six children on earth and 1 in heaven. We besides wanted to systematize what we already know, but besides learn something fresh – said Aleksandra and Gabriel Krzysztoni from the diocese of Sosnowiec. “The spiritual formation is besides important, so we were very pleased to be able to research the content of the Encyclical “Humanae vitae”. religion and reason must go together – the spouses explained.

The Krzysztoni added that participation in the “Kuźni” became an inspiration for any solutions to be introduced in their diocese: “We would like the funerals of children lost in Sosnowiec to be more solemn, and the parents – surrounded by both spiritual and human, specialized care – to be summed up by their spouses.

After the lecture, the participants attended the Holy Mass celebrated in the Basilica of Divine Mercy. It was an chance to give spiritual thanks for the past months and the acquired knowledge. Now before the fresh pro-life movement animators the most crucial stage: a return to their environments and building a civilization of life in them.