German march for life draws bishops and thousands in peaceful protest

CNA Newsroom, Sep 23, 2025 / 09:35 am (CNA).

Thousands of pro-life advocates gathered peacefully in Berlin and Cologne on Sept. 20 for Germany’s annual March for Life.  

Police prevented disruption attempts by left-wing activists, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.

The peaceful demonstrations marked the third year of simultaneous marches in both cities. Participants carried colorful balloons and signs defending human dignity from conception to natural death.

Episcopal endorsement energizes marchers 

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg joined thousands of marchers in Berlin, walking alongside Berlin Auxiliary Bishop Matthias Heinrich through the German capital’s streets.

The Berlin march commenced at Washingtonplatz near Brandenburg Gate, where participants carried red and green balloons as vibrant symbols of life’s protection.

In Cologne, Auxiliary Bishop Dominik Schwaderlapp celebrated Mass with the faithful before the march began at Neumarkt in the city center. Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, contributed a written message emphasizing that life “is a gift from God that humans do not acquire themselves but is entrusted to them.” 

Global perspective grounds German gathering 

Alexandra Linder, chairwoman of the Federal Association for the Right to Life, addressed the Berlin crowd with gratitude for strong participation and favorable weather while highlighting the international scope of pro-life activism. She noted a historic inaugural march in Vilnius, Lithuania, and a simultaneous event in Zurich as well as the upcoming march in Vienna on Oct. 4.  

Johanna Durairaj from the organization Life for All brought sobering testimony from India, where millions of abortions occur annually. 

The demonstrations prominently featured calls for conscience protection, with pharmacist Andreas Kersten advocating for the right to refuse dispensing the “morning-after pill” on moral grounds as an essential example of following one’s conscience.  

Felix Böllmann of ADF International told EWTN Germany, which covered the whole event, that while freedom of assembly enables such rallies, “freedom of conscience is also constitutionally protected.”

Professor Holm Schneider, a pediatrician from the University of Erlangen, shared compelling testimony about a quadruplet pregnancy where all four children were born despite medical recommendations for “selective abortion,” describing it as “moving witness to life that makes clear every child can be welcome.” 

Germany’s Federal Association for the Right to Life unveiled comprehensive policy demands, including complete abortion statistics and research into abortion’s causes, quality assessments of pregnancy conflict counseling centers, and recognition that “human existence begins with conception.”

The organization demanded unrestricted conscience protections for medical professionals, including during training.

Addressing assisted dying legislation, the association declared assisted suicide “a bankruptcy declaration of society” while calling for expanded hospice and palliative care services.

Swiss solidarity strengthens statement 

Simultaneously, Switzerland’s March for Life in Zurich drew approximately 2,000 participants.  

The event focused on prenatal medicine challenges, heard testimonies from late-term abortion survivors, and debated insurance coverage for abortions. 

The peaceful demonstrations represent continuing momentum for European pro-life movements navigating complex cultural and political landscapes while maintaining their commitment to human dignity. 

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/266713/german-march-for-life-draws-bishops-and-thousands-in-peaceful-protest