This year, as in years past, various pro-life groups in the states of Arizona and New Mexico will hold pro-life rallies to mark the occasion of the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion in the United States over 40 years ago.
Arizona events
In Arizona, the Diocese of Phoenix will hold a “Youth and Young Adult Rally for Life”, which will be attended by Bishop Thomas Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix and key note speaker Brian Butler. The rally will take place on Friday, January 23 at 7pm, and a Respect Life Mass will be held on the evening of January 22nd.
For more information, visit the Diocese of Phoenix events calendar.
New Mexico events
Project Defending Life, a pro-life group from Albuquerque, NM, will sponsor their annual Sanctity of Life Awareness Day on January 21. The day-long event will begin with a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica in Santa Fe, followed by a peaceful procession and rally at the Roundhouse, the seat of New Mexico government and legislature. All three New Mexico bishops – Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, Bishop James Wall of Gallup, and Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces – will be in attendance for the Mass and rally.
In a public statement, the New Mexico bishops reminded Catholics of the importance of supporting the pro-life cause:
“The dignity of life calls us all to recognize each human being as an image of God. We teach that life is sacred in all its stages. The bishops of New Mexico invite all to come and pray together for the protection of life, God’s greatest gift.”
The statement also asked attendees to bring baby items, toiletries, and blankets, which will be collected at the 12:00 Mass and then distributed to both expectant mother in need and the elderly in nursing homes.
For more information on the Rally, visit nmrallyforlife.com