A Mass in Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life was
celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville
Oct. 11 as part of October’s Respect Life Month.
The theme this year, “Live the Gospel of Life,” commemorates
Pope John Paul II’s encyclical “The Gospel of Life,” written 25 years
ago.
“The task that is ours, as St. John Paul II repeatedly
stated, is ‘to love, respect and promote the sacredness of all human life, for
there is no true freedom where life is not welcomed and loved,’ ” said Bishop
Burbidge.
“Sadly, we must acknowledge that life is not always welcomed
and loved in our nation, as the lives of innocent children in the womb are
taken daily through the evil of abortion. For that reason, the bishops of the
United States have reaffirmed that ‘the threat of abortion remains our
preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself; because it takes
place within the sanctuary of the family; and because of the overwhelming
number of lives destroyed each day.’ ”
He continued, “For those who have participated in the act of
abortion, remember that no evil or sin is greater than God’s mercy and healing
love. … For those suffering the trauma and wounds of participating in
abortion, please know that God makes his blessings available to you through our
diocesan Project Rachel program and our Catholic Charities counseling services
that are always ready to assist you.”
Respecting life means upholding the dignity of all persons,
Bishop Burbidge said, including the elderly, those with disabilities, the
inmate, the immigrant, the marginalized, and the most vulnerable “as well as in
our confronting other serious threats to the dignity of all persons, such as
racism and poverty.”
Bishop Burbidge urged the congregation to “treasure and care
for the life that is yours; to defend the sacredness of all human life at every
stage; to respect the dignity of all human persons; and to bring your voice and
faith into the public arena. In all these ways, you ‘Live the Gospel of Life.’
”
Amy McInerny, diocesan Respect Life director, said, “While
October has long been observed in the United States as Respect Life Month, I am
particularly grateful that today at this Mass, perhaps more importantly than
ever in these very challenging times when we are all a bit wearied by the fear
and division we see around us, that we can join together with our Bishop in
unity and charity to proclaim the Gospel of Life.
“I like to remember that we are baptized into Christ priest,
prophet and king, and so have a special duty and ability to be a light in the
darkness,” McInerny added. “Our world needs prophets now more than ever. If we
don’t stand for the dignity of life, who will protect the most vulnerable?”
“Perhaps now, more than ever, it is necessary for Americans
to be reminded of the inherent value of every human being,” said Therese
Bermpohl, director of the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life.
“It is time to renew our commitment to defending the unborn and the
marginalized and in doing so we must also be heralds of mercy and love to those
who have been involved with abortion and who have despaired of God’s
forgiveness.”
Find out more
To contact the Respect Life Office, go to arlingtondiocese.org/family-life/respect-life-office or
email [email protected].
To contact Project Rachel, go to
arlingtondiocese.org/helpafterabortion.
To contact Catholic Charities, go to ccda.net.
