Maria Czernin, Pro-Life Europe: Truth gives life. Let us not be afraid to speak it / March for Life Bucharest 2026

Maria Czernin’s speech on behalf of Pro-Life Europe at the 2026 March for Life in Bucharest:

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Dear all,

What is the biggest enemy of the pro-life cause?

Is it the lies?
 Is it a pro-abortion organization?
 Is it the atrocities legalized under the guise of freedom?
 Is it the people who hate us?

I would dare to say: no.

The biggest enemy of the cause we carry in our hearts… is fear.

Fear of being misunderstood.
 Fear of not making a difference.
 Fear of being rejected for our opinion.
 Fear of being too small to face such hatred.

And yet — every time we overcome that fear,
 every time we break the silence —
 in our school, in our workplace, in our university —
 we save lives.

Some years ago, a university student stood outside with friends after a night of dancing and celebration.
 One of the girls asked her what she thought about abortion.

It was the last topic she wanted to speak about.
 So she gave a vague, brief answer.

But the girl insisted.

And in that moment, she chose courage over fear.
 She spoke from the depth of her heart.

She said that life is precious.
 That society should focus on helping women —
 not helping them end the lives of their children.

Because it’s a life after all.

A life that is beautiful — no matter the stage, the size, or the age.
 No matter the difficulty.

A life with inherent dignity.
 A dignity that no one can assign — and no one can take away.

And if we could decide who has value…
 who would decide?
 And on what grounds?

The conversation ended with tears.
 And they went their separate ways.

Months later, they met again.

And the same girl said:

“Thank you.
 I am pregnant.
 And because of our conversation… I decided to keep my baby.”

This is the power of truth.

Truth gives life.
 Truth enables life.

So let us raise the standard of our words.
 Let us not be afraid to speak what is good, what is true, what is beautiful.

And if we ever remain silent —
 let it only be to mourn:

the babies lost to abortion,
 the women pushed into it,
 and the fathers who had no choice.