Virginia bishop says truth is ‘on our side’ as diocese urges vote ‘no’ for ballot questions 1 and 2

As Virginia residents prepare to vote on key ballot questions Nov. 3, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington reflected this week on the efforts the diocese has made to raise awareness on voting to protect preborn life, parental rights, and the sanctity of marriage. 

“I think if we’re able to say — no matter what the results are on election day — if we’re able to say as a diocese, as families, as individuals, we have given our very best to promote what is true, I know the Lord will be well pleased with us,” Bishop Burbidge said on the Oct. 26 episode of his “Walk Humbly” podcast. “And, we never underestimate His power to work miracles, either.”

In the episode, podcast co-host Tom Shakely, chief communications officer for the diocese, commended Bishop Burbidge for his efforts to raise awareness “about the threat of ballot questions one and two,” noting that question one, a state constitutional amendment, is pro-abortion though it uses language about “reproductive freedom.” Question two, also a state constitutional amendment, would undermine the sanctity of marriage. 

Shakely highlighted the diocese’s “Catholics Vote No” resource website, which features Bishop Burbidge urging the faithful to vote “no” on both of those ballot questions. As Zeale News previously reported, Bishop Burbidge asked priests to read a letter opposing the amendments at every Mass in the diocese over one of the weekends in September. The bishop also called on Catholics throughout the diocese to pray and fast on Fridays throughout October for the defeat of the amendments.

>> Arlington diocese urges Catholics to vote ‘no’ on pro-abortion, same-sex ‘marriage’ amendments << 

Bishop Burbidge responded to Shakely, “With the help of our pastors and priests and the grace of God, you’re right, I think our voice has been heard.” 

“We have conveyed, adequately, all that is at stake here,” the bishop added. “We vote ‘no’ to these ballot questions so we say yes to the sacredness of life, the unborn, the health of mothers, the right of parents, the sanctity of marriage as Jesus taught.”

Bishop Burbidge added that he is very pleased with the faithful’s concern and passion for these issues, which he has encountered during visits to parishes.  

Catholics have told him it “‘is great that we’re rallying together to do what is right and to do what is just,’ so with the help of so many people, we’ve led and will continue to lead this Catholics Vote No campaign,” he said. 

“But it’s something we can only do because of the great support of our priests and a strong flock; the faithful of this diocese are so devoted to protecting life and all that’s right and true,” he added. 

He expressed his gratitude for everyone who has worked to raise awareness on the amendments, adding that they have been “reminding people what's at stake, and why it's essential, a moral imperative, really, that we vote no to these ballot questions.”

The bishop noted that on Oct. 30 one of the local churches is hosting Eucharistic adoration and a Rosary to pray for Virginia. 

“We certainly know that we have the truth on our side, and I am not underestimating the prayer and the fasting that is taking place in our diocese,” he said, “what powerful forces they are.” 

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