Seven weeks before the Nov. 3 elections, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge urged diocesan Catholics to continue speaking out about two ballot initiatives that he said threaten the right to life and the dignity of marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“We will work tirelessly in getting out the truth,” Bishop Burbidge said at a Sept. 15 holy hour at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, held in support of the Catholics Vote No campaign against Ballot Questions 1 and 2 to amend the Virginia State Constitution.
Ballot Question 1, “Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment,” would allow for virtually unlimited access to abortion, including for minors without parental consent, according to the Catholics Vote No campaign website, which also states that the ballot question is framed in a misleading manner, appearing to be a question about women’s reproductive health, but instead opening access to abortion through the third trimester.
Ballot Question 2, “Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment,” would no longer recognize marriage as an institution between one man and one woman, and would not provide protections for religious liberty or conscience rights.
Speaking to a gathering of parishioners, chancery employees and students from the cathedral school and Angelus Academy in Springfield, Bishop Burbidge urged Catholics to “say ‘no’ to these ballot amendments, and ‘yes’ to truth and all that is holy and right and just.”
“We will not tire in providing resources, answering questions, using social media, any resource we have to get the word out, so that our voices are heard and our votes will count,” he said.
He also echoed Christ’s words to the disciples: “Do not be afraid.” “That is the message we need to hear as we continue to persevere through a very challenging and difficult time in the life of our Commonwealth,” he said.
As the election gears up and early voting begins Sept. 18, Catholics should rely on prayer, asking Christ “for the grace you need, so that others in your families, your workplaces, your schools, and communities see this example,” he said. “We’ll experience attacks in serious ways in these coming weeks … the lack of protection for the child in the womb, the lack of reverence for the sacredness of human life and the sanctity of marriage. Our hearts are troubled.”
Amid the uncertainty, we should strive to reflect the unity and peace our world needs, Bishop Burbidge said. “We must not see ourselves and others as Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, but as members of God’s holy family,” he said. “As you strive in the days ahead, reflect that we are one nation under God, and brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Donofrio can be reached at anna.donofrio@catholicherald.com.
Find out more
Go to arlingtondiocese.org/vote or catholicsvoteno.com.
This article has been updated.
