The march for life highlighted a growing push for comprehensive reforms in Germany’s abortion policies, demands for full transparency in abortion statistics, enhanced research into the causes of abortions, and stronger protections for medical professionals’ rights of conscience.
Newsroom (23/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a vibrant display of advocacy for human dignity, thousands of pro-life supporters converged peacefully on the streets of Berlin and Cologne on September 20 for the annual March for Life, marking the third consecutive year of simultaneous events in both cities. The gatherings, organized by the Federal Association for the Right to Life, drew participants from across Germany and beyond, carrying colorful balloons and signs affirming the value of life from conception to natural death. Police successfully thwarted attempts by left-wing activists to disrupt the marches, ensuring the events proceeded without incident, according to reports from CNA Deutsch.
The marches highlighted a growing push for comprehensive reforms in Germany’s abortion policies, including demands for full transparency in abortion statistics, enhanced research into the causes of abortions, and stronger protections for medical professionals’ rights of conscience. These calls come against a backdrop of stable but significant abortion numbers in the country: In 2023, Germany recorded 106,218 abortions, a slight increase from approximately 104,000 in 2022, according to data from the German Federal Statistical Office. This represents an abortion rate of about 140 per 1,000 live births, underscoring the scale of the issue that organizers argue demands greater scrutiny and support for alternatives. Over the past decade, annual abortions have hovered around 100,000 to 110,000, down from peaks of 130,000-135,000 in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reflecting a gradual decline but persistent concerns about access to counseling and societal pressures.
Episcopal leaders lent significant weight to the demonstrations, energizing participants with messages of faith and moral imperative. In Berlin, Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg and Berlin Auxiliary Bishop Matthias Heinrich led the procession, which started at Washingtonplatz near the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Marchers released red and green balloons as symbols of life’s protection, creating a festive yet solemn atmosphere. Meanwhile, in Cologne, Auxiliary Bishop Dominik Schwaderlapp celebrated Mass for the faithful at Neumarkt before the march commenced, fostering a sense of spiritual unity.
A written message from Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, emphasizing life’s sacred nature. “Life is a gift from God that humans do not acquire themselves but is entrusted to them,” Bätzing wrote, urging participants to cherish and protect it without exploitation for external agendas. This sentiment was echoed in his separate statement on September 19, where he cautioned against the pro-life movement being co-opted by “political, demographic, nationalistic, or even ethnic interests.” Bätzing’s words highlighted the Church’s nuanced stance: While individual bishops like Voderholzer and Heinrich actively support the marches, broader Catholic organizations have expressed reservations, citing alleged ties to right-wing elements—a claim vehemently denied by organizers who insist the event remains independent and non-partisan.
The demonstrations also adopted a global lens, connecting Germany’s efforts to international pro-life activism. Alexandra Linder, chairwoman of the Federal Association for the Right to Life, addressed the Berlin crowd, expressing gratitude for the strong turnout and favorable weather while spotlighting parallel events abroad. She referenced the historic inaugural March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, a concurrent gathering in Zurich, Switzerland, and an upcoming march in Vienna, Austria, on October 4. This international solidarity underscores the worldwide scale of abortion, with an estimated 73 million induced abortions occurring globally each year, according to the World Health Organization. Of these, about 61% stem from unintended pregnancies, translating to roughly 121 million unintended pregnancies annually worldwide.
A poignant testimony from Johanna Durairaj of the organization Life for All brought the human cost into sharp focus, sharing stories from India where millions of abortions take place annually. Recent estimates peg India’s annual abortion figure at around 15.6 million to 16.6 million, with an abortion rate of 47 to 48 per 1,000 women of reproductive age—among the highest in the world. Durairaj’s account highlighted issues like sex-selective abortions driven by son preference, with a 2022 Pew Research Center survey noting that 55% of Indian adults believe abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, even as the procedure remains widely practiced. Such global testimonies served to ground the German marches in a broader context, emphasizing that abortion’s impacts transcend borders.
Central to the rallies were advocacy for conscience rights in healthcare. Pharmacist Andreas Kersten spoke passionately about the need for professionals to refuse dispensing the “morning-after pill” on moral grounds, framing it as a fundamental aspect of ethical practice. Felix Böllmann of ADF International, in an interview with EWTN Germany—which provided full coverage of the events—reinforced this by noting that while freedom of assembly allows such public expressions, “freedom of conscience is also constitutionally protected.” The Federal Association for the Right to Life amplified these demands in their policy platform, calling for unrestricted conscience protections for medical staff, including during training periods.
Personal stories added emotional depth to the proceedings. Professor Holm Schneider, a pediatrician from the University of Erlangen, recounted a quadruplet pregnancy where all four children were born healthy despite medical advice for “selective abortion.” He described it as a “moving witness to life that makes clear every child can be welcome,” challenging narratives around high-risk pregnancies.
The association’s broader demands included mandates for complete abortion statistics—currently reported annually by the Federal Statistical Office but criticized for lacking depth on causes and demographics—as well as quality evaluations of pregnancy conflict counseling centers. They also advocated recognizing that “human existence begins with conception” in policy frameworks. On the related issue of assisted dying, the group labeled assisted suicide a “bankruptcy declaration of society” and pushed for expanded hospice and palliative care services to support end-of-life dignity.
Despite the peaceful nature of the marches, they occur amid ongoing tensions within Germany’s Catholic community. In 2023, the Cologne archdiocese branch of the Federation of German Catholic Youth urged a boycott, arguing there was “no clear distinction” between organizers and right-wing milieus. The umbrella group BDKJ echoed this, deeming it “unacceptable that Christians take to the streets side by side with right-wing extremists or even work together with them.” Organizers have consistently rejected these accusations, pointing to the event’s history since 2008 as a non-partisan platform focused solely on life issues.
As Germany grapples with these debates, the March for Life serves as a reminder of the deeply held convictions driving pro-life advocacy. With abortion numbers remaining steady at over 100,000 annually and global figures highlighting a pervasive challenge, participants left the events committed to continued dialogue and reform.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA and Pillar
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