Bishop Michael F. Burbidge has asked all Virginia Catholics to join him in prayer and fasting throughout the month of October as voters consider two proposed amendments to the commonwealth’s Constitution on abortion and marriage.
In a public message Sept. 29, Bishop Burbidge said Virginians “face very serious legal threats to the sacredness of human life and the sanctity of marriage.” He describes Ballot Question 1 as “an extreme and vague change” that would create a legal right to abortion in Virginia, and said Question 2 would remove from the Constitution the truth that marriage is between one man and woman. Together, he said, the amendments would “threaten constitutional justice, the equal protection of the laws, and religious liberty.”
“The Church boldly proclaims her ‘Yes!’ to the good of human life and the sanctity of marriage,” he said. “For us to speak this ‘yes,’ we must together proclaim ‘no!’ to these amendments, in fidelity to God and for the good of all in our society.”
Bishop Burbidge stressed that the effort rests on grace. “Hearts are changed by the grace of God,” he said, quoting the prophet Joel: “Return to me with your whole hearts, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
On Fridays, he asked that Catholics pray the Stations of the Cross, as well as fast “which means eating one full meal and no meat.” On Sundays, he suggested the faithful pray the rosary and to abstain from social media “at least for a few hours, especially before and after Mass.”
“It would be a powerful force if all in the Diocese of Arlington were united in these efforts,” he said, entrusting the commonwealth “to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother during this month dedicated to her Rosary.”
Early in person voting is open until Oct. 31. Election day is Nov. 3.
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