Catholic Bishop Rallies Voters to ‘Confront the Evil’ at Ballot Box

Bishop Michael Burbidge met with Catholic priests throughout the Diocese of Arlington last Thursday to reinforce the importance of defeating two constitutional amendments on the Virginia ballot.

The proposed amendments have prompted an unprecedented effort by Burbidge to raise awareness among Virginia Catholics. Question 1 would expand abortion access throughout pregnancy while undermining parental consent for minors. Question 2 would redefine marriage and enshrine transgender ideology in the state constitution.

“These are tough and challenging days, and these are very unsettling questions we’re voting on,” Burbidge said on the latest episode of his “Walk Humbly” podcast. “But we have the truth, and we have prayer, we have fasting.”

Catholics Called to Prayer and Fasting

Burbidge has asked Catholics to spend October fasting and praying for the defeat of the two proposed amendments. On Fridays, he asked Catholics to pray the Stations of the Cross and to fast, eating only one full meal and no meat. On Sundays, he asked Catholics to pray the Rosary and fast from social media for at least a few hours, ideally before and after Mass.

On his podcast, Burbidge recalled advice he received as a young seminarian from a priest who encouraged him to pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday.

>>> CATHOLIC BISHOP CALLS FOR MONTH OF FASTING AND PRAYER TO DEFEAT VIRGINIA BALLOT MEASURES

“Every Friday is a Good Friday, a day that we should step back and remember that the Lord took up his cross, that he suffered and he died for us, and to be united with him in fasting, if that’s possible, but certainly in prayer,” Burbidge said.

An Unprecedented Campaign

Information about the diocese’s Catholics Vote No campaign is present in churches across Northern Virginia. More than 433,000 Catholics live in the Diocese of Arlington, which includes 70 parishes and spans 21 counties.

The campaign represents an unusually intervention by Burbidge in an election. In September, he took the unprecedented step of asking priests throughout the diocese to read a letter at Mass urging Catholics to oppose the amendments. Burbidge previously said it was the first time in his decade as bishop that he had made such a request.

>>> A RARE MOVE BY A VIRGINIA BISHOP AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY

Early voting in Virginia opened Sept. 18. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Burbidge praised priests for embracing the campaign and said Catholics he has encountered while traveling throughout the diocese have responded to his call to action.

“I want to just thank all of our priests who are leading this initiative with such faithfulness, such passion, such dedication,” Burbidge said. “I’m so grateful to the faithful who are telling me they’re embracing this cause to vote, to get others to vote, to pray and to fast.”

‘We Did Everything We Possibly Could’

The bishop said he delivered a similar message when he gathered with priests last Thursday, telling them their responsibility was to make every possible effort regardless of the eventual outcome on Election Day.

“If we’re able to say that throughout this initiative, this campaign, we gave the Lord our very best, we did everything we possibly could to defeat these amendments, then the Lord will be pleased that we gave him our best,” Burbidge said.

>>> 2 VIRGINIA BALLOT MEASURES THREATEN PARENTAL RIGHTS

“The truth never changes,” he added. “And prayer and fasting are always weapons, armor that we have to confront the evil in our world.”

A ‘Generational Vote’

Burbidge’s latest remarks come a week after Catholics gathered at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Virginia, to hear from church leaders about the potential consequences of the two amendments.

“This is a generational vote because of the two amendments that are in front of voters,” said Amy McInerny, director of the diocese’s Respect Life Office. “We do have a moment here where we can rise up and proclaim the gospel of life with our vote.”

>>> 2 VIRGINIA AMENDMENTS SPARK A FIGHT OVER LIFE AND MARRIAGE

At the Alexandria forum, church leaders argued that the amendments could have consequences beyond abortion and marriage, raising concerns involving parental rights, conscience protections, religious institutions, and Virginia’s longstanding tradition of religious freedom.

With less than three weeks remaining before Election Day, Burbidge is urging Catholics to pair political participation with prayer and sacrifice.

“We have the truth, and we have prayer, we have fasting,” Burbidge said. “They’re powerful forces, and we have the grace of God who continues to work miracles.”

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