As Virginia takes center stage in the national abortion debate, pro-life leaders from across the country met in Arlington for a two-day conference Aug. 11-12.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge welcomed participants in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Diocesan Pro-Life Leadership Conference at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Aug. 11. He previously served as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
“Dear pro-life leaders and brothers and sisters in Christ, you see daily the wounds of those you serve, the wounds of those who participated in abortion,” said Bishop Burbidge, who concelebrated Mass with Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, and chairman of the USCCB pro-life committee; Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minn.; and Msgr. Robert Cannon, chaplain of the Pro-Life Directors Conference. “(You see) the wounds of those who are unable any longer to see themselves as God’s beloved son and daughter, the wounds of those who feel lost, forgotten and abandoned, and what confidence the Lord has in them, for he sends you to them to be messengers and hope and instruments of his healing and saving love.”
Following Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, participants moved to Burke Hall for an awards dinner where four “Advocates for Life” were recognized: Judy Haag of New Ulm, Valerie Washington of Baltimore, and Rita and Mike Marker of Steubenville, Ohio, who were awarded posthumously.
“It’s a surprise but I think our God is a God of surprises,” said Washington, executive director of the National Black Catholic Congress. “I’m very grateful to be honored among these people who work so very hard at what they do because all of them should be honored.”
Haag, who has been a pro-life activist for more than 50 years, agreed that the political battles seem overwhelming at times. “People don’t understand what they’re voting for,” she said. “They don’t understand what really is happening and I just think we really need to get on our knees. That’s why we go to the Minnesota State Capitol on the first Friday of every month when they’re in session and we pray from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon.”
Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade June 24, 2022, 14 states have enshrined abortion rights into their state constitutions, and Virginia is one of the next big targets. “The abortion industry is on the move waging war on state constitutions,” said Amy McInerny, diocesan director of the Respect Life office. “We are in the crosshairs because bordering states to the South have passed protective laws for women and children, and the abortion industry wants Virginia to be the abortion destination of the South.”
The proposed amendment to the state constitution cleared its latest hurdle in February when the House of Delegates voted to approve the measure, following the senate’s approval in January. If it is approved again in 2026, the amendment will be decided by voters in a state referendum.
With all 100 seats in the House of Delegates up for reelection Nov. 4, the stakes are high.
“The legislators that Virginia voters elect this November will decide whether an extreme and deadly proposal to allow virtually unlimited abortion at any stage of pregnancy will become a November 2026 ballot question,” said Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference. “Through conscience formation, prayer and fasting, we must prepare our minds and hearts to engage in this year’s critical voting decisions. Please be on the lookout for resources the Virginia Catholic Conference will release next month to help voters form their consciences and gather vital information.”
McInerny is concerned that many are unaware how permissive Virginia’s abortion laws already are. “Our law currently allows abortion through all nine months under certain circumstances,” she said. “Abortion businesses are opening in Virginia. Bishop Burbidge just led a rosary a couple of weeks ago at the McLean abortion facility that is just one block off the McLean Metro stop, and easily accessible from Dulles International or Reagan National airports. Women seeking an abortion are told that a nonprofit organization will help them cover the hotel, food and travel expenses.”
When it comes to voting, McInerny emphasized that the candidate’s position on abortion should be viewed through Catholic teaching. “The church is never going to tell you who to vote for, but like any good mother, she’s going to say, ‘You have a duty to vote and you have a duty to vote with an informed conscience.’ ”
According to the USCCB, abortion remains the “preeminent” political priority for Catholics. “There are many fires burning that are important and that Catholics need to think about when they vote for a candidate,” said McInerny. “But the hottest fire we have to put out now is abortion.”
Bishop Burbidge met with pro-life leaders again Aug. 12 to encourage them in the importance of being witnesses of hope.
“We communicate hope by first recognizing God’s goodness in our nation, despite our failings,” he said. “In today’s post-Roe America, significant challenges confront our nation. But having achieved the end of Roe after 49 years of advocacy, we can confront new and continuing injustices with the confidence that steadfast advocacy and witness does work. Roe is gone and, by God’s grace, one day we will overcome other serious legal injustices that linger throughout our country.”
Bishop Burbidge concluded his talk with an exhortation to share “our closeness to the Lord…so we come back to the imperative to communicate hope and be missionary witnesses in a culture hungry for truly good news.”
