There is something that each and every member of our diocese can
do for the pro-life ministry, according to Amy McInerny, respect life director
in the diocesan Office for Marriage, Family and Respect Life. It doesn’t have
to be the same thing but we all have to do something.
McInerny started in her role in January. Since then, she has been
busy maintaining a connection between the chancery and every parish respect
life coordinator.
“I also established a habit of sending them updates every week or
10 days to make sure we are getting the word out on calls to action,” she said.
McInerny, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake
Ridge, served as the executive director of Human Life Action (2015-17). She was
a research assistant for the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (2014-15),
founder and executive director of Women’s Injury Network (1998-2001) and
assistant director, secretariat for pro-life activities, for the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops (1991-94). She earned a bachelor’s of science
from Georgetown University in Washington (1983) and her law degree from The
Catholic University of America School of Law in Washington (1991).
Goals for her office include making sure a respect life committee
is in place at each parish to provide educational resources and keep leaders up
to date with what is going on.
October is Respect Life Month and with that comes an emphasis on
multiple life issues, including the medical aid in dying bill proposed in
Virginia. “If people haven’t reached out to Richmond yet to make sure they
understand medical aid in dying is unnecessary, dangerous and flawed
legislation for Virginia, a quick click does the trick (vacatholic.org/action-center),”
said McInerny. “Advocacy online makes a difference when we raise our voices.”
It is important to ensure people understand what the church
teaches and why, said McInerny.
McInerny will help parishes participate in the 40 Days for Life
this Sept. 26-Nov.4.
“Four abortion facilities in four years have closed from the
prayer of people on the sidewalk,” said McInerny. “I’m hoping each parish will
commit to a day or a time for people to go out and prayerfully witness.”
There are people who sidewalk counsel and that’s a different
skillset, she said. “Just getting people out to pray is huge. What if everyone
gave just one hour? Some people are called to do it every day but we can all do
something, even pray from home.”
McInerny hosted a meeting with all diocesan respect life
coordinators in late August.
“The meeting was an opportunity to reboot, come together and begin an
unprecedented effort to respect life and build the culture of life in the
Diocese of Arlington,” she said. McInerny said they considered what it looks
like at the parish level and the importance of each of the pillars set forth by
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops — prayer and worship, public education
and information, direct service, and advocacy.
At the meeting, coordinators were given respect life packets that
included program materials for use at a parish level. “There are articles on
life issues for forming people so that we can understand why things are wrong,”
she said.
McInerny worked with the Virginia Catholic Conference to research
and help plan the response to the medical aid in dying report and bulletin
inserts.
In addition to making connections with parish coordinators, she is
trying to engage more youths. “We have this beautiful, young, pro-life
generation and I want to make sure they understand how valued they are and how
much we need them,” she said. “I’m trying to make connections with student
leaders at our colleges and universities and support their pro-life efforts on
campus.”
High school students have an important role to play, she said.
The students can use the time as volunteer hours for school.
Her office promotes the first Saturday and third Saturday
rosaries at two of abortion facilities, getting the word out to parish
coordinators. “The clinics have seen a little uptick of (protest) participation
and that’s very welcome,” she said.
McInerny said being a part of the team at the diocese is a
blessing.
“I am daily inspired by the volunteers I am blessed to work
with,” she said.