Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

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Pilgrimage to Defend the Civil Rights of Innocent Children – January 18th

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Life

It is hard to believe that so many years have gone by and how many innocent children have been denied their right to life since that tragic decision of January 22, 1973. At that time, the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Congress predicted that the Supreme Court decision would generate the greatest grassroots protest in the nation’s history. He may well be correct.

Generations of seemingly powerless politicians have used the issue as a political crutch that mysteriously disappeared once elected. However, bus loads of people continue travel to Washington marches each year.

The crusade, once primarily a Catholic issue, has grown into an inter-faith cause. Such will be the case on Saturday when Catholics will rally for life. The Rosary will be prayed at the Southwestern late-term abortion clinic at 10 AM, and at 1 PM priests of the diocese will join me in concelebrating the Roe Memorial bilingual Mass.

The Mass previously celebrated at the Cathedral has been moved to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to accommodate the many Catholics who join us from all over the region. After Mass, we will march to the Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse for an Ecumenical Rally.

I invite all people of all faiths to join in this pilgrimage to defend the civil rights of innocent children.

A Sad Anniversary

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Once again we will commemorate the tragic Roe vs. Wade decision of the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday January 22 with a Mass at the Cathedral followed by a March for Life through downtown Dallas. Bishop Kevin Vann of Fort Worth will join in celebrating the Mass and in the march from the Cathedral to the Federal Courthouse.

It was 38 years ago when a case that originated in Dallas reached the Supreme Court and triggered the decision that legalized abortions. The pro-life movement aimed at overturning Roe vs. Wade is one of the greatest grass roots efforts in the nation’s history.

Since 1995, with publication of the “Gospel of Life,” the Church has continuously encouraged us to promote a culture of life that respects, protects and supports all human life from conception to natural death. I encourage all Catholics and all men and women of goodwill to do what they can to promote this culture in our communities and in our nation.

I thank all people who will join us in this pilgrimage for life. If you cannot participate in the Mass and march or other planned activities, please join us in praying for the success of the pro-life movement.

A new pro-life generation

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Hundreds of thousands marching up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court to protest the Roe vs. Wade decision was impressive by any standard. However, to me the most impressive element was that many marchers were not just gray haired veterans, but young people under 30.

Before the march the young people, more than 22,000 of them, overflowed a rally at Verizon Center sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington. I am proud of the large number of Dallas young people who took part.

Chanting “we are the pro-life generation” and carrying signs proclaiming “Smile, your parents chose life” the youth sent a powerful message that the fight for life is stronger than ever.

One of the few counter demonstrators was quoted in the Washington Post as being struck by the large number of young people among the marchers, adding “it suggests that the battle over abortion will endure for a long time to come.”

He’s right!