Hundreds Gather for Pro-Life Mass at Cathedral

By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/30/03)

ARLINGTON — Hundreds of Catholics from around the diocese gathered Jan. 22 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More for a Respect Life Mass, celebrated by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde along with more than 20 priests concelebrating.

"We are a people of life and for life," Bishop Loverde said at the opening of Mass. "That is how we present ourselves to everyone."

In his homily, the bishop reminded all present that although we gather to stand for and celebrate life, Jan. 22 also marks a day of mourning since over 40 million Americans over the past 30 years have had their lives "snuffed out" by abortion.

"Anniversaries are all different," Bishop Loverde said. "Some are happy, joyful events and we rejoice. Others are sorrowful events that we mourn. Thirty years ago today, the culture of death began to permeate throughout the United States, when the Supreme court declared that an unborn baby is a non-person and not afforded the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of this country…. Priests and religious, scientists, businessmen and women, engineers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles — each never had a chance to make the world a better place to live — each never had a chance to live their lives for the honor and glory of God."

Contrasting the culture of life with the culture of death, the bishop discussed the effects the Roe v. Wade decision has had on individuals, families and society’s beliefs and values. "We no longer experience the death of a defective or defenseless human being as a big deal," he said. Although studies show that the majority of women who have abortion believe it is immoral, they choose abortion because other issues seem more important.

"May I ask, what is more important than the life of a human person made in the image and likeness of God?"

Commenting on a recent Washington Post article, which reported that our culture has replaced romance in dating with immediate self-gratification, Bishop Loverde said that in reality, the culture of death has taught us that millions of women and men suffer from sexually transmitted diseases, that millions of women suffer emotionally, physically and spiritually from past abortions, the gospel message of love and compassion has been replaced with sex and self-gratification, and that many elderly live in fear, believing they are a burden on society.

The bishop exhorted all present to transform the culture of death by prayer and fasting with renewed vigor, by extending help to women who are suffer the effects of abortion, and by supporting Catholic Charities and Project Gabriel that provide assistance to women experiencing difficulty.

In addition, the bishop said we have an opportunity to change the "moral landscape of the Commonwealth of Virginia" by refusing to fund Planned Parenthood, stopping funding of abortions through tax dollars, and ensuring that a sound bill banning partial birth abortions is passed into law.

"In our hands rests the destiny of this nation. Our Church has consistently taught the ethic of life from the moment of conception to natural death. That sentence is more than just rhetoric," said the bishop. "How can we vote for political candidates who ensure that they are seen and heard at the latest Planned Parenthood or NARAL conventions? … All of us, politicians included, must first be a people of faith and then apply that faith in everyday work."

In addition to many families, businessmen and women and elderly, students from several schools, including Bishop Ireton and Bishop O’Connell High Schools and the Cathedral of St. Thomas More School participated in the Mass.

Following Mass, numerous buses transported people to the March for Life in Washington.  

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