Bishop Michael F. Burbidge calls Catholics to prayer and fasting

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge has called Catholics in the Diocese of Arlington to observe a month of prayer and fasting during October. The bishop requested these spiritual practices in response to two ballot initiatives in Virginia that he says threaten the sanctity of marriage and the right to life.

According to the bishop, Ballot Question 1 proposes a change to the Virginia Constitution that would establish a legal right to abortion. He also stated that Ballot Question 2 would remove the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman from the state constitution. Burbidge said these amendments threaten religious liberty and constitutional justice.

The bishop asked parishioners to pray the Stations of the Cross and fast on Fridays by eating only one full meal and avoiding meat. On Sundays, he requested that people pray the Rosary and fast from social media for at least a few hours, particularly around the time of Mass.