Antonio de Mello, a Brazilian who has adopted 46 children, most of whom would have been aborted, will be among the speakers at the upcoming March for Life in Washington D.C. A Catholic by faith, de Mello will share his pro-life testimonial at the annual event, attended by scores of Americans from across the nation.
The 51st March for Life, taking place on January 19, bears the theme “With Every Woman, For Every Child.” It is being conducted for the second time since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
In 1990, de Mello established the Jesus Menino (Child Jesus) Disabled Community to provide a humane environment for disabled Brazilian orphans. This faith-based community was created to look after the welfare of the children and adults who were given a second chance at life. In 2019, de Mello said his strength to run the community comes from God’s faith in him.
Nestor Forster Jr., Brazilian Ambassador to the United States, lauded the community and de Mello’s work, describing it as an “embassy of heaven on earth.” Many of de Mello’s adopted children were either survivors of failed abortions or had been abandoned at birth. Others owe their lives to de Mello’s offer of help to their mothers, who had been considering abortions.
De Mello’s community operates as an independent organization, recognized by the Church and public authorities in Brazil, and relies heavily on charitable donations in the absence of agreements with any public or private organization.