Guatemala Recognized as Pro-Life Capital of Latin America

By | March 11, 2022

Unveiling of the Monument "Guatemala Light to the Nations" in the National Palace of Guatemala City

GUATEMALA CITY, March 11 (C-Fam) Religious leaders and pro-life organizations from across the American Continent praised Guatemala in a ceremony to recognize the small Central American nation as the pro-life capital of Latin America.

“To live in peace, we need to respect life from conception. This is what is required by the Constitution,” President Alejandro Giammattei said during the event on Wednesday. “When we have faith, it is our faith that demands it, not just the law,” he said emotionally.

“Today we say no to war! Yes to peace! Yes to Life!” he exclaimed referring to the ongoing war in the Ukraine.

Guatemala’s Congress designated March 9 as the national Day for Life and Family, and evangelical Churches declared Guatemala the pro-life capital of Latin America. A sculpture commemorating the day’s events, paid entirely by Giammattei, was unveiled and the courtyard of the National Palace was renamed the “Courtyard for Life” during the ceremony.

Despite being heavily criticized by his opponents, Giammattei struck a conciliatory note in his remarks.

“This is a day to be united. We also listen to dissenters. But we ask all Guatemalans to be united in building the country.”

Several pastors from Evangelical churches, an Imam, and a Rabbi thanked Giammattei at the ceremony on Wednesday. The Apostolic Nuncio to Guatemala, Francisco Montecillo Padilla, Pope Francis’ personal representative to the majority evangelical country, was highly appreciative. “We should never tire of presenting the truth about the family as God has willed it from the moment of creation, again and again,” he said, adding that it involved running against the current of the dominant culture and required “patience, effort, sacrifice, and the constant search for mutual understanding.”

Giammattei is a Catholic but well-loved by evangelicals for his strong support for life and family.

In 2019, his government adopted a national policy that advances protections for motherhood, unborn children, strengthens family life, and promotes family values. He also has taken strong pro-life positions internationally and at the United Nations, including joining the Geneva Consensus Declaration.

He spoke earnestly about his pro-life convictions and political struggles to the pastors of 400 evangelical churches of the Ibero-American Congress for Life and Family on Thursday as they met in plenary session.

Giammattei, who has multiple sclerosis and walks on crutches, has had successful careers as a doctor, in business, and in government. But he struggled with his illness early on in life. He said he attempted suicide when he was diagnosed with multiple-sclerosis at the age of 23 in his final year of medical school. He found God in that crisis when he stopped protesting God and began asking God to reveal his purpose for him.

Giammattei attributed the vicious opposition to his presidency to his pro-life and pro-family convictions. He was kept in prison for ten months by his political opponents before he could ascend to the presidency. Criticism of his policies only made him more certain, he said, adding that despite all the troubles he has had he sleeps like a baby at night because his conscience is in peace.

Pro-life leaders from around the Americas attended the events.

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