Bishops Face Off With The Blues In Virginia

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond requested that their message regarding upcoming midterm elections be read at every Mass in Virginia during the weekend of Sept. 13.

The bishops are urging the faithful to vote against two proposed constitutional amendments appearing on the November ballot. One amendment would legalize abortion up to birth, while the other would expand the legal definition of marriage. Bishop Burbidge stated that these measures pose serious legal threats to the sanctity of human life and marriage in the commonwealth.

To support this effort, Bishop Burbidge asked the faithful in the Diocese of Arlington to fast on Fridays and pray the Stations of the Cross until the election. The bishops' call to vote no faces opposition from groups such as the ACLU of Virginia, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, Equality Virginia, and Progress Virginia, which are providing funding to support the amendments.