Virginia bishop calls for October prayer and fasting to defeat pro-abortion, marriage redefinition amendments

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington is calling on Catholics in his diocese to pray and fast throughout October to help defeat two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution that the state’s bishops warn would undermine protections for unborn life and the Church’s teaching on marriage.

In a video message the diocese shared on X, Bishop Burbidge asked the faithful to pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday in October and 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, especially before and after Mass. The practices are part of the diocese’s Catholics Vote No campaign opposing Ballot Questions 1 and 2.

“We entrust [these efforts] to the Lord’s amazing grace, so all that is just, right, and true will be done in this election,” Bishop Burbidge said in the video statement.

Virginia voters will decide whether to approve the amendments Nov. 3. Ballot Question 1 would establish a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom” in the state constitution, and Ballot Question 2 would remove the state constitution’s definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Several pro-life advocates and legal scholars have characterized Ballot Question 1’s language as misleading and vague, warning it could allow abortion until birth in some circumstances and undermine parental consent requirements.

As Zeale News has reported, the pro-abortion amendment would permit the state to regulate abortion in the third trimester but prohibit it from banning an abortion at any point when a physician determines it would likely “protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual” or when the physician determines that the unborn child “is not viable.”

Bishop Burbidge has repeatedly urged voters in recent weeks to oppose the amendments, issuing a joint letter with Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond in August warning of the proposed amendments’ “far-reaching consequences.” He also directed every priest in his diocese to read a separate letter opposing both amendments at Mass the weekend of Sept. 12-13. 

Early in-person voting began Sept. 18 and continues through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.

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