In Kolbuszowa, in the southwest of Poland, a ceremony took place on June 29, 2021, to introduce the bell “Voice of the Unborn” in the church of All Saints. The festivities were preceded by a two-day spiritual preparation. The Mass with the introduction of the symbolic instrument was presided over by Bishop Jan Wątrobya, Ordinary of Rzeszów. The monumental bell, blessed by Pope Francis at the Vatican in September 2020, is a reminder of the need to protect lives.
The spiritual preparation for Tuesday’s celebrations was led by Fr. Przemysław Drąg, National Pastor of Families, who spoke of the importance of defending life from conception to natural death.
“We cannot remain indifferent to how many children die because of abortion,” says Bogdan Romaniuk, vice-president of the Foundation “Yes to Life,” the bell’s initiator.” A year ago, the idea was launched to have a symbolic bell cast here in Subcarpathia, in the famous workshop of Jan Felczyński, in Przemyśl.
“Today it rings to recall the inalienable right to life, to sensitize and awaken consciences, not only of people in Poland but all over the world,” adds Bogdan Romaniuk.
The originator of the bell underscores that it was consecrated by Pope Francis, who first symbolically struck it. “The bell, which began its pilgrimage in Rome, is on its way all over Poland. Today, it was solemnly introduced in the parish of All Saints in Kolbuszowa, where it will be staying for a time before going on other pilgrimage routes,” he said. In addition to Jasna Góra, where the bell will be on December 8, it is scheduled to come, among other places, to Krakow, Olsztyn, and Lubaczów.
As Romaniuk points out, “The Voice of the Unborn” is very eloquent in its robe. It is decorated with an ornament in the shape of a DNA chain. It is meant to symbolize the genetic code of parents—a woman and a man, a mother and a father of a new life. In addition to the bell’s name, there is also an ultrasound image of a conceived child and the words of the fifth commandment of the Decalogue: ‘You shall not kill.’ We show that this law is up to valid throughout time.”
“There are also words from the Book of Jeremiah: ‘Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew you and consecrated you’ With this symbol, we indicate God’s intervention in every conception,” says a member of the Foundation “Yes to Life.”
As Bogdan Romaniuk notes, the news of the new pro-life symbol is gaining notoriety not only in parishes throughout Poland but also in pro-life organizations. He adds that the idea of casting more bells as voices of the unborn spreading on the international level.
“We have been approached by a pro-life organization from Ecuador, we are seriously discussing the possibility of such a bell, that its heart may ring for the people of this country. A similar request came from Ukraine,” he explains. When the bells will have been cast, they too will most probably be consecrated by Pope Francis.
The Bell “Voice of the Unborn” weighs close to a ton. Its task is to recall the fate of more than 42 million children who are killed every year through abortion around the world.
Family News Service
