Over 200 people lit candles on the steps of the parliamentary building in a “remembrance” event of the Finnish pro-life organization ‘Oikeus elämään ry’.
(Evangelical Focus) On Saturday 21 March, 8,645 candles were lit on the steps of the Parliament—one for each abortion performed in Finland in 2024.
The Muistamme (“In Remembrance”) event organized by Oikeus elämään ry (in Finnish, Right To Life Association).
Johannes Laitinen, who organised the event, said “the candles were lit for the remembrance of these children. The purpose of the event was also to give a voice to the silent grief that many have experienced after abortion”.
At the same time, the group also wanted to show in a very visible way the number of planned abortions performed in 2024 in Finland, a country of 5.6 million inhabitants.
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A spiritual approach
In connection with the candle lighting, a spiritual gathering was held at Luther Church in Helsinki. After the service, participants walked in a procession to the Parliament steps to light the candles.
“There were about one hundred pre-invited candle lighters on the steps to ensure that all the candles could be lit”, Latininen explained. “We invited people who feel a personal connection to the issue of children lost through abortion. The public was also offered the opportunity to participate by lighting a candle. Around 200–300 people gathered at the Parliament steps,” Laitinen explains.
Tweet This: 8,645 candles were lit on the steps of the Finnish Parliament on Saturday March 21 — one for each abortion performed in Finland in 2024.
The first candle was lit in memory of Sami, a child lost to abortion, accompanied by words of remembrance.
“I light this candle for you, Sami. I am grateful to be your mother”, said a woman called Eevi. “Thank you for being my guiding star. And thank you that I may look forward to being reunited with you after this life. Thank you, God the Father, for giving Your only Son as atonement for all our sins”.
Once all the candles were lit, a minute of silence was held on the national parliament steps in remembrance of children lost to abortion. A sea of candlelight remained glowing in the Helsinki night, drawing passersby to stop, observe, and take photos. Selected volunteers kept watch over the candles throughout the night.
Editor's note: This article was published by Evangelical Focus and is reprinted with permission.
