Cardinal Woelki and Bishop Oster Support Munich March for Life with Greetings
Munich, March 6, 2026 – On April 18, pro-life advocates will once again gather on Königsplatz for the Munich March for Life, now in its sixth year. In the run-up to the rally, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne and Bishop Stefan Oster SDB of Passau praised the commitment of the participants.
According to the organizer, “Stimme der Stillen e. V.”, the march will begin at 1:00 PM. It is considered one of the largest pro-life events in German-speaking countries.
Background of the Event
The background to this year’s gathering is current societal debates, as announced by the organizers. These include discussions about a possible deletion of Paragraph 218 from the Criminal Code and the recently decided financing of cross-border abortions by the European Social Fund.
In Germany, according to current legal provisions, more than 100,000 unborn children are killed in the womb annually. From 1996 to 2023, approximately 1.8 million children were aborted.
Statements from Church Leaders
In his greeting, Cardinal Woelki emphasized that the participants set “a living and hopeful sign for the protection and dignity of every human being from the first moment of their existence until their natural end.” He highlighted that every person is “a beloved child of God regardless of age, health, or life situation.”
Bishop Oster stated in his message that Catholic pro-life advocacy presupposes the conviction that human life “is always something sacred and inviolable: a precious gift from the hand of our Creator himself.” From this arises the “unshakeable obligation” to protect life in all stages and circumstances. Oster explicitly referred to the needs of women in conflict situations: “Their support must also be an essential part of our concern for life.”
Organizers’ Perspective and International Speakers
Organizer Silja Fichtner emphasized the event’s concern to CNA Deutsch: “We give a voice to those who have none yet or no longer have one.” Germany does not need more abortion centers, but better support for young families and especially for women during pregnancy.
The Nigerian biomedical scientist and founder of “Culture of Life Africa”, Obianuju Ekeocha, who advocates against the international promotion of abortions in Africa, is expected as the international keynote speaker. German publicist Mathias von Gersdorff, who advocates for strengthening families and parental rights, will also speak.
Sources: CNA Deutsch, “Stimme der Stillen e. V.”, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, Bishop Stefan Oster SDB
