More than 2,000 people participated on Tuesday in the march for life in Springfield, capital of the state of Illinois, where two initiatives will soon be discussed to legalize assisted suicide.
According Catholic TimesMagazine of the Diocese of Springfield, the march was preceded by a mass for life in the Sangamon Auditorium of the University of Illinois.
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The Bishop of Springfield, Mons. Thomas John Paprocki, celebrated the Mass with the bishops of the Diocese of Belleville, Peoria and Joliet.
Subsequently, the Provida concentrated in front of the State Capitol, where a group of protesters in favor of abortion shouted slogans to interrupt the prayer directed by Mons. Paprocki.
The prelate encouraged participants to ask God for the conversion of abortionists. “We thank you for the freedom that allows us to choose between good and evil, including those who criticize us in the name of evil. We pray for them. We pray for God to touch their hearts and free the hatred of their hearts so that they can love all human life from the moment of conception,” he said.
About 100 pilgrims from the Diocese of Rockford also arrived at the march. “Together, we express the truth about human dignity in the face of the harmful actions of abortion, in vitro fertilization and assisted suicide. The day was full of the grace of God and the joy of communion and testimony!” Said the Evangelization Office of Life and Family.
Although in June 2022 the ROE vs. ruling was annulled. Wade – who legalized abortion throughout the United States in 1973 – this practice remains legal in Illinois.
As Catholic Times explains, “the battle for the protections for unborn and vulnerable now focuses on the capitals of the states, being Illinois one of the most important due to its proportion laws and a culture in the state that generally approves abortion.”
But in addition, the Provida movement faces the challenge of making the state parliament reject the bills of the Senate (SB 9) and of the Representatives Chamber (HB 1328) that would legalize assisted suicide for people with terminal diseases.
To do this, the Bishop of Rockford, Mons. David J. Malloy, urged Catholics to write to their representatives to ask them to reject both projects.
To obtain information on how to contact its local elected official and express their opposition to laws SB 9 and HB 1328, it can Visit the website of the Illinois Catholic Conference or call 217-528-9200.
Eduardo Berdejo
Professional in Social Communication of the National University of San Marcos in Peru, I have more than 20 years of experience in Catholic digital journalism. As part of ACI Press, I have been sent to cover the trips of Pope Francis to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in addition to the Synod of Sinodality in the Vatican in 2023.