March for Life 2024 Press Release 1/12/24

Malta Stands Strong for Life: Hundreds Gather to Celebrate the Value of Every Human Life

Braving wind, rain, and cold, hundreds of passionate advocates came together in Valletta to celebrate the sanctity of life and reaffirm Malta’s place as the safest nation for unborn babies. March For Life 2024, featured stirring speeches, heartfelt testimonials, and calls to action that inspired hope and resilience in the pro-life movement.

Michaela Agius, a university medical student, opened the event with a powerful speech that resonated deeply with the crowd. “Life is a precious gift,” Agius declared. “Every life, from the moment it begins, has infinite value. We cannot remain silent when this truth is threatened. Life is not a matter of opinion; it is a fundamental principle.”

 

She emphasised the tangible support available through initiatives like Life Line and Life Network Foundation, adding, “We’re here to remind you that you have immeasurable value and that you are stronger than the challenges you face. From diapers and formula to childcare and shelter, help is available for those in need.”

The event continued with compelling contributions from two U.S.-based OBGYNs who shared their professional experiences underscoring the importance of life.

Dr. Christina Francis asserted, “Pregnancy is not a disease, and death is not healthcare.” Addressing fellow pro-life doctors, she expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you for fighting for all your patients. You are the last line of defense.” Dr. Francis also hailed Malta as “a light on a hill for the rest of the world,” celebrating its unwavering commitment to protecting life.

 

Dr. John Bruchalski, who previously was on what he described as “the dark side of choice” performing abortions, before undergoing a profound reevaluation of his medical and ethical convictions, has since become a staunch advocate for protecting both patients – mother and baby. He highlighted Malta’s unique role on the global stage, stating, “Malta is a bright light in the center of the Mediterranean for all the world, where the least are cared for, where no one is left behind.” He added that this is a legacy all Maltese people should be deeply proud of.

Dr. Miriam Sciberras, CEO of the Life Network Foundation, marked the organisation’s 10th anniversary by sharing its remarkable achievements. “In the past decade, we have supported over 150 mothers, providing safety, dignity, hope, and love so they could deliver their babies with confidence,” she said. Dr. Sciberras detailed the foundation’s life-saving initiatives, including its helpline, the central distribution hub, and “Dar Tgħanniqa ta’ Omm”, which offers shelter and support to mothers in need.

The event closed on a high note, with attendees singing the National Anthem, cheering, and pledging their commitment to keeping Malta a beacon of life in the world. Despite the challenging weather, their spirits were undampened, demonstrating the strength and unity of the pro-life movement in Malta.

 

Perinatal Care Symposium Press Release 30/11/24

President of Malta sends message of support and encouragement to Perinatal Care Symposium hosted by Life Network.

Life Network hosted an academic symposium led by international medical professionals discussing the best ways to care for mothers and babies following a challenging medical diagnosis of a baby before birth. The medics discussed how to care for both mothers and babies and highlighted examples of best practice.

“No mother, no family, should face a challenging perinatal diagnosis on their own. Life Network is here to help” said Tonio Fenech, Chairman of Life Network, as he opened the symposium.

Dr Christine Francis from the USA, spoke about prenatal diagnosis as an instrument of care. This was followed by Prof. Giuseppe Noia from the

Gemelli Hospital, Rome, speaking about the medical advancements for both baby and mother over recent years. Dr Elaine Pace Spadoro, Dr Ethel Felice, Anna Louisa La Teano and Angela Bozzo highlighted the care necessary for all those involved in a perinatal diagnosis: the unborn baby, the mother and also the father – and highlighted the significant levels of care and support that are now available, including practical, psychological and social.

Following this Dr Dione Mifsud led a conversation with three mothers who shared their experiences of having challenging medical diagnoses for their unborn children, and how they experienced both positive and negative responses and reactions from both medical professionals and family.

 

Dr John Bruchalski gave a impassioned account of how he came to the realisation that when one truly looks after a pregnant woman, one must recognise that there are two patients, and that one must look after them both in body and spirit. He talked about the great example of integrated medicine that is available in Malta – including the great and inspiring work of Life Network Foundation.

 

The President sent greetings wishing those present “great success in their work supporting mothers and their babies”.

 

The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai attended the whole conference and shared the greetings of Pope Francis. He highlighted that “maternity is not an individual business”, and thanked those who spoke for their work of protecting and promoting the dignity of both mother and

 

baby, “because every life is a gift of infinite value”. He said “I learnt a lot, a lot”.

 

Dr Miriam Sciberras, CEO of Life Network Foundation said: “It has been a wonderful day and a great encouragement that the President has sent her greetings and encouragement to all of us who work for a holistic approach to the care of pregnant women and their babies. We thank her for her inspiring support”.

 

Press Release 10/04/24

Life Network urges all Maltese MEPs to vote against proposal of “right to abortion” in upcoming vote on EU Fundamental Rights Charter, citing misinformation, Malta-EU Assentation Treaty, EU Law, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 

The draft proposal to include the right to abortion in the EU Fundamental Rights Charter, includes misinformation in regard to the laws of Malta. In Malta there are no restrictions regarding medical lifesaving treatments available to women who are pregnant[1], as is claimed in the draft proposal. Further to this, Malta has the same maternal mortality rate as the EU average[2], demonstrating top quality maternity care.

 

The pressure being placed on Malta by the European Parliament, is highly inappropriate in light of the EU-Malta accession Treaty 2003, whereby “nothing … shall affect the application in the territory of Malta of national legislation relating to abortion”[3].

 

While the European Parliament may vote on amending the Charter, it has no competence (legal right) to change the Charter, as all changes to the Charter must be agreed unanimously by each member state, not the European Parliament.

The draft proposal uses the language of human rights, even though the Universal Declaration of Human Right makes no reference to abortion, but rather states that “equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”[4]. To deny the humanity of one group within the human family, in this case unborn babies, is a travesty of justice.

⁠
It is particularly concerning that Maltese MEP Cyrus Engerer, is one of the proposers[5] of the draft which explicitly criticises Malta, in light of the fact that the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and every member of the Maltese Parliament only last year, voted unanimously in favour of the current law in Malta relating to the protection of mothers and their unborn babies.

 

The reference in the draft to people choosing “how to have children” seems to advocate for some form of right to surrogacy where women are used as incubators and babies are commodities.

 

Life Network encourages all to recognise that medical advancements have made it even clearer that an unborn baby, at every stage of development, is always a human being, and as such has inalienable rights and deserves protection.  Abortion does not protect women, but rather takes the lives of women, along with men, in the womb, while hurting mothers.  The way forward is to support women in their pregnancies and help them become great mothers to their children.

 

Dr Miriam Sciberras, CEO of Life Network said:
“This draft proposal, and all those who support and vote for it, are advocating for abortion up to the full 9-month gestation with no restrictions at all, as a matter of choice.  I urge all Maltese MEPs to proudly vote against it”.

“This draft proposal, framed in human rights language, is the antithesis of human rights.  It attempts to dehumanise the unborn child, giving him or her no rights whatsoever and turning children into commodities”.

 

Links: 

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on including the right to abortion in the EU Fundamental Rights Charter

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2024-0205_EN.html?fbclid=IwAR2YpQqQCO8SlVk8GuhS8KBrPbbrWrvrsXgmsQd3qBherEk-goSavzb_-IM_aem_Afa2BFY-NZ6nKA5VVqwmrtD4YGKkBDwVv1qJnUxAKL-SgFEUzEPSLe7ZY1Eb15WCO1qsnx0zZA4T35ys9E8HdeaY

 

Life Network Foundation:

https://lifenetwork.eu/

 

Contact:

ceo@lifenetwork.eu, media@lifenetwork.eu

Footnotes
*1 Criminal Code, Chapter 9 Sub Title VII, https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/9/eng/pdf

 World Health Organisation: https://gateway.euro.who.int/en/indicators/hfa_97-1220-estimated-maternal-mortality-per-100-000-live-births-whounicefunfpa-estimates/#id=19020&country=MLT;WHO_EURO&fullGraph=true 

 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/acc_2003/act_1/pro_7/sign 

  https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights 

 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2024-0205_EN.html 

Patricia Sandoval at March for Life 2023

Patricia Sandoval – will speak about her Escape from Drugs, Homelessness, and the Back Doors of Planned Parenthood

Patricia came from a broken home, good and bad boyfriends, three abortions, a job at Planned Parenthood (where she was told never to reveal what she saw), followed by methamphetamine addiction and homelessness.

Patricia Sandoval’s life story is an unusually gripping, hard-to-put-down ride along a journey that leads to an extraordinary triumph of God’s mercy—the mercy that waits patiently for all of us.

The way that Jesus came to her in the streets will leave you breathless, as will the heights to which God has since carried her.

If you know of someone who believes they cannot be forgiven or return to Church, this is the book to give them. (Watch the video of reader comments below.) Read Transfigured. Be Transfigured.

Patricia now travels the world as a pro life speaker, sharing her story with millions in packed stadiums and on radio and television shows, such as EWTN’s Bookmark, Life on the Rock, Women of Grace, At Home with Jim and Joy; and in Spanish, on EWTN’s Cara a Cara, Nuestro Fe en Vivo, Ellas lo Dicen, De Dos en Dos—and now on her own show with Astrid Bennett Gutiérrez: Informe Provida

Planned Parenthood Uses Hamas Attack to Sell Abortion

On October 7, Israel was the victim of one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in modern history. Heavily armed Hamas gunmen flew or drove into civilian centers and then began slaughtering everybody within reach, including women and children. By the time the massacre was done, over 1,000 Israelis had been killed, thousands more injured, and hundreds taken hostage. In the face of this appalling attack, Israel quickly responded, launching numerous airstrikes into Hamas-controlled Gaza. As of this writing, it appears that Israel is preparing to invade Gaza, the next stage in what is likely to be a long and brutal war. Read the full article here. 

Country singer releases moving song about brother with Down syndrome

A country singer has released a new song about his younger brother with Down syndrome, celebrating the differences they have and urging for inclusion and acceptance.

 

John Paul Von Arx said on his website that he released the song and music video, which features his brother Sam, to “bring hope to parents expecting a baby with Down Syndrome and express [his] solidarity with families of people with special needs.”

 

Read the full article here.

Mother, you will never need walk alone

Life Network Foundation has inaugurated “Id F’Id” (Hand in Hand), new premises providing material assistance services for pregnant women and young families raising infants.

 

The opening of Id F’Id complements the holistic support services for women run by Life Network Foundation…

 

Read the full Press Release (in English) here.

 

Read the Press Release in Maltese here.

Selfless mother-of-two volunteers to save abandoned premature babies

A 25-year-old Tanzanian woman has given up all her time to provide 24-hour ‘kangaroo care’ to abandoned premature infants.

The life of Mariam Mwakabunga, a selfless mother-of-two and a resident of Kinyerezi in Ubungo District in Tanzania, radically changed when she visited a hospital and discovered the plight of premature babies who had been abandoned. 

Read the full article here. 

Still fighting for the unborn in one of Europe’s last pro-life sanctuaries

International pressure to change Malta’s abortion law has ebbed and flowed, but has increased greatly in recent years.

On June 23, the Maltese Government made an abrupt positive pro-life U-turn, shelving an abortion “reform” bill the Labor Government had introduced in November 2022 and hoped to enact by Christmas.

It reversed course following a huge public outcry, compounded by the President’s threatened resignation if the bill passed Parliament. As a result, Malta remains one of the last countries in Europe that still protects unborn life.

See the full article here. 

How Malta Just Stopped Legalised Abortion

American pro-life attention since June 2022 has focused on the legal status of abortion in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, removing Roe v. Wade’s straitjacket on states that wanted to protect prenatal life.

Fewer people know that during the same period, a similar pro-life fight played out on the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, one of Europe’s last two countries (alongside Poland) that provide substantial legal protection to unborn life.

Read the full article here.