Bishop Burbidge calls for renewed pro-life efforts at USCCB plenary session
Caroline MolloyAt the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) plenary session this week, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, who chairs the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, delivered an address highlighting the ongoing challenges in defending the sanctity of life.
“Recent campaigns and elections, and state ballot initiatives, have shown that abortion continues to be debated within our nation,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Sadly, many states continue to enshrine abortion in their state constitutions.”
Despite these challenges, he encouraged the bishops to remain steadfast in their efforts.
“Our work is not only to change laws, as you know, but to change hearts and to change minds, to inspire and to inform,” he said.
Quoting Pope Francis’ recent document Dignitas Infinita, Bishop Burbidge underscored the Church’s long-standing teaching on the need to protect the unborn as “the most defenseless and innocent among us.”
He pointed to the Pope’s assessment of the way in which the human dignity of the unborn is denied and violated, citing the Pontiff’s words: “Nowadays, efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and to do with them whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone from standing in the way of this.”
