If voters pass a proposed amendment to the state constitution in November that would allow abortion through all nine months of pregnancy and restrict parental rights, Ohio will become one of the most radical pro-abortion states in America, approximately 2,500 pro-life supporters were warned Friday at the second annual March for Life on the statehouse lawn in Columbus.
A few hours earlier, Bishop Earl Fernandes delivered a message of hope at a Mass for Life at St. Joseph Cathedral, just two blocks from Ohio’s capitol, that was attended by more than 500 people who came from throughout the state to offer witness to the sanctity of life at all stages.
“Today, we are offering a special Mass for peace and justice but for respect for human life in all stages,” Bishop Fernandes said in his homily. “We know that about a month from now there will be a big vote and we need the strength that comes from on high to win the day.
“But it is not unrealistic to think that we can accomplish the impossible. With God, all things are possible.”
Catholics and pro-lifers remain hopeful that Ohioans will defeat the proposed constitutional amendment in November despite early polling indicating a majority of the state’s residents back the proposal.
“The power of prayer cannot be underestimated,” Bishop Fernandes said. “But in order for our prayers to be effective, we need to not just speak to God and beseech God but listen to the voice of God.”
The first reading at Mass from Baruch began with the exiles during the Babylonian captivity praying, “Justice is with the Lord,” and Bishop Fernandes asked, “What is justice? (It is) giving another person his or her due, giving God first and foremost His due, but also giving our neighbor, including the unborn child, his or her due.
“No matter the result of the November election, justice is with the Lord our God.”
Bishop Fernandes reminded the faithful to repent from their sins and take personal responsibility for following the precepts the Lord, including the Ten Commandments, the fifth of which says, “Thou shall not kill.”
“To say ‘Thou shalt not kill’ is to commit oneself to reverence for human life in all its stages, for reverence for the human person made in the image and likeness of God,” the bishop said. “And by loving our neighbor we are showing reverence for the God who made all of creation.
“To say no to the killing of the innocent is to say yes to the gift of human life. And that is what we are here to witness to — the gift of life — and to commit ourselves ever more fully to be good stewards of that gift.”
The bishop commended pregnancy centers, Catholic Social Services, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and other organizations and individuals who work each day to help mothers in need choose life. He reminded everyone that it is their moral responsibility to put their faith into action.
“We are the people who celebrate life, who cherish life, who defend life. And after the November ballot, we will still be that people,” he said.
“Let us ask God for the grace to be the people and the Church He has called us to be, not people who wage war against the weak and the innocent but who are the voice of the voiceless.”
The packed cathedral included Mass-goers of all ages sitting to the side of the altar and behind it, lining the walls from front to back of the sanctuary and spilling into the vestibule. Groups from diocesan schools and large contingents of students from Sidney Lehman and Cincinnati Elder high schools were in attendance.
Bishop Edward Malesic of the Diocese of Cleveland joined Bishop Fernandes at the altar along with seven priests, two deacons and seminarian altar servers during the Mass, which also was attended by several orders of religious sisters who serve in the diocese.
After the Mass, the worshipers moved to the statehouse lawn, where Bishop Fernandes offered an opening prayer at the Ohio March for Life rally.
He was followed onto the stage at the steps of the capitol’s west entrance by a collection of Ohio state representatives and senators, pro-life leaders, pastors, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and wife Tina, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance. They encouraged the large crowd to knock on doors, make phone calls and do whatever it takes over the next month to persuade Ohio voters – even those who may not be pro-life — to vote “no.”
“Whenever we allow powerful people to prey on women in our country or in our world, it’s the newborn babies that always suffer,” Vance said. “I’ve heard a lot from the ‘yes’ side on Issue 1. We know a lot of those folks are good people. But one of the things I hear from my friends is they will say this is all about freedom.
“I’ve met a lot of young women who made the unfortunate decision to terminate a pregnancy. Every single time that I saw that happen, it was never about freedom. They were pressured into it.”
He warned that the vote on the proposed Ohio amendment, which comes just 17 months after the Roe vs. Wade decision was overturned in June 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court, has serious ramifications that would enshrine the rights to abortion into the constitution.
“They are trying to make Ohio the most radical pro-abortion state in the entire union,” Vance said. “They’re trying to take choice away from moms and dads and how they make decisions about their families. I’ve got three little kids and, God forbid, if one of my kids was dealing with a situation with an unplanned pregnancy, I’d like to be involved.”
Husted, who reflected on his adoption story after his birth mother chose not to abort him, emphasized the gravity of the issue before Ohioans.
“We need everyone to understand. This isn’t just a law change,” he stressed. “It’s a constitutional amendment that people like me uphold when we raise our hand and we take the oath of office, and we certainly don’t want this radical proposal to be in that constitution. Do you?
“This amendment is not some middle of the road compromise. It is a radical proposal that eliminates parental consent on abortions and allows late-term abortions when the baby is viable and can feel pain. That’s what this is. And these are the consequences that stand before us.”
The pro-life challenge over the course of the next month will be to persuade the majority of voters that Issue 1 is too extreme for Ohio and “that this is the kind of proposal that would come in the constitution of California, not Ohio,” Husted said.
“To win a majority of votes, we will need people to vote no who do not necessarily agree with us on the policy of saving the lives of our children,” he continued. “The question before us over the course of the next 30 days is not what the policy should be, it’s about persuading Ohioans that the policy should not be what’s contained in Issue 1.”
Early voting starts Wednesday, Oct. 11 around the state.
“Ohio, you are going to be judged by how you treat the most vulnerable,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the national March of Life. “Will you choose life?
“The stakes are high. All of the country is watching Ohio. And what is to happen here in the next month I’d even go as far as to say that your wonderful state — that has protected life for all of its history, that has been life affirming — has hanging in the balance in a short period of 24 hours you could become the most pro-abortion state in our country.
“We are not over-sensationalizing here. We are not exaggerating what’s going on. Every vote matters, and everything that you do between now and November 7 matters.”