Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, stressed Thursday night in Washington, D.C., that the reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 is not the end of the pro-life movement. Legislative and electoral defeats.
“For many of us, the reversal of Roe v. Wade was a moment of relief, a moment of new life, an escape from the oppression we had lived in for 50 years,” Burbidge said Thursday, Jan. 18. mentioned in. He preached as principal priest and homilist at the opening mass of the National End of Life Vigil.
of All-night prayer vigil for national life This is an annual event held on the eve of the March for Life. It will be held at the National Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
Ending abortion must include a 'change of heart': Virginia faith leader
The Mass was jointly celebrated by dozens of priests and bishops, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, and Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the United States Military Diocese, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (USCCB). A copy of Burbidge's remarks was shared with Fox News Digital.
Burbidge, who heads the USCCB's pro-life committee, said 18 months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, “it's clear that Dobbs is not done.” Stated.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, delivered a message of hope and motivation Thursday, Jan. 18, at the National Vigil for Life. A copy of his remarks was shared with Fox News Digital. (USCCB)
“This is a victory — a tremendous victory — but it's not a decisive victory,” he said. “There is still work to be done.”
Although the Supreme Court has ruled there is no federal right to abortion, Burbidge noted that some states have taken it upon themselves to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions.
“The lives of unborn children remain at risk, and in some places more than ever,” he said Thursday night. “Innocent children's lives are being taken. Mothers are still suffering. Couples, children and families still need resources, support and love.”
'March for Life' reveals theme for 2024 event in post-ROE US
Although the pro-life movement suffered a defeat because of Dobbs, “we learned an important and practical lesson,” Burbidge said.
He continued: “Money is pouring in to help our adversaries misrepresent, deceive people, and paint those who stand up for lives as irrational, extremist, and intolerant. ” he said.
And while Burbidge claimed that “our opponents are supported by the media and public relations strategists,” there is “truth” on the pro-life side.
Mass on Thursday evening, January 18th, was held at the Cathedral of the National Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The cathedral is shown in the 2021 photo. (Robert Knopes/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“Yet we have to find new ways to communicate [truth]”How?” said Burbidge. No compromise. where? Even in the darkest places, through service and always Christ is at the center. ”
Burbidge said the right to life is of divine origin and “has always been true.”
“Every human life is sacred. The right to life is absolutely fundamental,” he said.
The bishop stressed that no one can “directly take another person's life” and that no one has the “right to diminish the value of another person or to say whether a person's life is worth living.” did.
March for Life participants call for a ban on abortion and support for pregnant women
“We live in a world where some people, including those elected to the highest offices, are sadly willing to ignore, compromise and negotiate these fundamental truths. I live there,” he said.
As Christians, it is our “sacred duty to vigorously and tirelessly defend” these truths. “At the same time, our deepest triumph as a movement lies in responding in the only way worthy of humanity: with love.”
“We live in a world where some people sadly ignore, compromise and negotiate these fundamental truths.”
As time goes on, the pro-life movement “must tell the truth even in the darkest places,” Burbidge said.
This means going to “states where there are wins to be won,” even if those states have already “taken actions to legislate extreme abortion policies.”
U.S. Catholic bishops slam pro-abortion Catholic members of Congress
“Even in the darkest places, we can be a light,” Burbidge said. “Like Jesus, it is not enough to reserve our message for those who will immediately receive it and seek victory only where it is likely to be won.”
Instead, he said, the pro-life movement “must continue in places where our message is rejected” as an act of “bringing light into the darkest corners.”
The National Prayer for Life Vigil is held annually on the eve of the annual March for Life in Washington, DC. This year was his 45th time the vigil was held. Thousands of people are expected to march in the capital on Friday. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“Every life is worth striving for,” he said.
In addition to bringing light, the pro-life movement must “serve generously,” as Jesus did, Burbidge said.
“Because despite our best efforts, things only sometimes go our way. Laws come and go,” he said. “There will be moments of victory and moments of defeat. There will be moments of elation and moments of disappointment. Political views and public opinion will change.”. ”
Abortion is a 'terrifying symptom' of what society has forgotten, says Catholic archbishop
But the one constant, he said, is Jesus Christ.
“Mr. Dobbs was a great victory, and for that we should rejoice. But a new chapter in our pro-life work is unfolding.”
“We will be discouraged by setbacks and tempted by despair, but with Christ at our center, we will be rooted in His promises and learn the truth of what it means to live in hope,” Burbidge said. he said.
Burbidge said that while “there is always more work to be done” both legislatively and philanthropically, “our faith teaches us that a perfect world will never arrive…perfect justice… It is never ours until we find it,” he reminded those gathered. “Our Lord who art in heaven,” he said.
In addition to bringing light, Burbidge said in a speech in Washington, D.C., Thursday night that the pro-life movement “must serve generously.” (St. Petersburg)
God's work and the pro-life movement are “not finished yet,” Burbidge said.
“Our story isn't over. There's more work to do. Dobbs had a great victory, and we should rejoice. But a new chapter in our pro-life work is unfolding. be.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The chapter must center on truth and Christ, he pointed out.
“Never negotiate the truth,” Burbidge said. “We must continue to speak this word with love, bring it to the darkest places, and serve mothers and fathers and families in need.”
Click here to sign up for our lifestyle newsletter
The 51st National March for Life, the world's largest annual pro-life event, will be held Friday. According to the March for Life website, this year's theme is “With Every Woman, For Every Child” and calls attention to the need for care for both mother and child during and after pregnancy. .
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle..
