A
European grassroots initiative, aimed at advancing the protection of
the human embryo, has received the endorsement of the Pope.
During his Regina Caeli message on Sunday, Pope Francis urged his listeners to sign the “One of Us” petition currently in Italian parishes.
Francesca
Baldini, a spokesperson with the “One of Us” campaign in Italy, said
organization of the campaign began in May 2012, after an audience with
Benedict XVI.
But the push for petitions only began this month.
Baldini said it will run until 1 November, when organizers hope to
present one million signatures to the European Commission.
“One
of Us” wants the EU to stop financing activities that involve the
destruction of human embryos, in particular in the areas of research,
development aid and public health. This would require the EU to change
its financial regulations that determine spending in the EU budget.
However,
a minimum of one million signatures from EU citizens from at least
seven of the 27 member states is required for the EC to debate and then
act on such policy changes. Petitions are currently being gathered in
all 27 member states.
Members of the “One of Us” campaign were at
Sunday’s March for Life in Rome, which Pope Francis joined for a few
moments.
Following his Regina Caeli message, he surprised the
40,000 marchers when he was driven in his popemobile to the end of the
Via Conciliazione to the square, where they had gathered.
“One of
Us” is a non-denominational European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). The
ECI is an instrument of participative democracy, which was introduced in
the EU with the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.
The ECI gives citizens the
right to call directly upon the European Commission to propose
legislation on matters where the EU has competence to legislate.
The "One of Us" petition can also be signed online at www.oneofus.eu