John Paul II speaks.. to Youth Defence

Vatican City, 4 August 1995

To Miss Niamh Nic Mhathuna
To Mr. John Heaney
Youth Defence
Dublin 1.

Dear Miss Niamh Nic Mhathuna and Mr. John Heaney

After the eminent encouragement given to you by the Holy Father this morning at Castelgandolfo during the conversation he had with you immediately after his Private Mass, to which he admitted you as representing your association "Youth Defence" - I am happy to be able to give you also my personal encouragement in your activity.

I too express the hope and the Christian certainty that it is God's will to give effective, daily help to Youth Defence (and to Irish Catholics who I hope will support Youth Defence in ever increasing numbers) in its good and just combat for the full defence of the lives of our brothers and sisters as they come to birth, and so to give speedy assurance to Ireland of complete victory over the forces of evil and barbarism that are promoting the destruction of life and of justice and the splitting-up of the family unit, and with that victory to obtain the first concrete, public reaffirmation of the universal and eternal principles of natural law, which through all ages constitute the foundation and the criterion of the morality and legitimacy of all positive law and regulations, both within the States and between them.

While renewing my encouragement, and expecting to meet with you soon again in Rome, I am happy to say that I am at the disposition of Youth Defence to help it in any way that may be wished, in its courageous work of promoting a genuine culture of life ("cultura della vita") such as has been once again solemnly proclaimed by the Holy Father in the encyclical Evangelium Vitae.

Signed
Padre Cristiano- Maria Charlot
Secretary of Pontifical Academy for Life

The Pope praises Youth Defence

On Friday, 4th August 1995 Niamh Nic Mhathuna (Chairwoman) and John Heaney (Campaign Co-ordinator) of Youth Defence received an invitation to attend the Private Mass of His Holiness Pope John Paul II and afterwards to meet with the Holy Father at Castelgandolfo.

After Mass the Holy Father spoke to Niamh and John and gave them his undivided attention,
stressing the importance of Youth Defence's prolife work. As the audience ended the Holy
Father himself summoned the Vatican Photographers to record the event.

"Continue in your apostolate and be Courageous"

The Holy Father received Niamh and John with warm fatherly kindness. He urged Youth Defence to "Continue in your apostolate and be courageous" During his conversation with Niamh and John, the Holy Father spoke of the "good young people of Ireland" and of his love and affection for them. His Holiness also warned that "Ireland is under attack."

The Pope and Youth

At World Youth Day (Denver 1993) the Holy Father told thousands of young people gathered to hear him speak against abortion "Go out into the streets and trading places" and "woe to you if you do not succeed in defending life."

Youth Defence does exactly this, taking the pro-life message onto the streets of the major towns and cities of Ireland, through our Street Information Sessions and our National Roadshows.

“Effective Help”

In his strong letter of recommendation, the Secretary of the Pope's own Pontifical Academy for Life, Padre Cristiano- Maria Charlot, obviously moved by the warmth of the Holy Father's reception of Youth Defence, spoke of the "eminent encouragement given to you by the Holy Father" and said that it was "God's will that effective daily help be given to Youth Defence." He also expressed his hope that Irish Catholics "will support Youth Defence in ever increasing numbers."