Virginia Bishops Urge Catholics to Vote Against Abortion and Marriage Amendments
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Barry Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond are asking Virginia's roughly 700,000 Catholics to vote against two proposed constitutional amendments on the November 3 ballot, one that would add a right to "reproductive freedom" to the state constitution and eliminate parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions, and another that would repeal Virginia's unenforceable same-sex marriage ban and replace it with language recognizing marriages without regard to sex. Priests across the Diocese of Arlington have been asked to read a message opposing both measures at every Mass on September 12 and 13, just before early voting opens September 18.
Bishop Burbidge said the amendments touch questions the church considers foundational, telling parishioners "God is the author of life. God is the author of marriage. We must protect these extraordinary gifts from our Creator." The diocese is also holding a holy hour at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More on September 15 as part of a broader "Catholics Vote No" campaign.
