The annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., marking the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in the United States, will take place Friday, Jan. 21, as will a panel discussion the previous day, a speakers program before the march and an evening dinner gala afterward.
But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a youth program titled “Life Is Very Good,” which had been scheduled for the evening of Jan. 20 and the morning of Jan. 21 at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, has been canceled. Also canceled was a program of displays featuring pro-life organizations.
Cancellation of the youth program resulted in cancellation of bus trips by parish or school groups from Columbus St. Patrick, Powell St. Joan of Arc, Sunbury St. John Neumann and Grove City Our Lady of Perpetual Help churches and Worthington St. Michael, Westerville St. Paul and London St. Patrick schools.
Lancaster Fisher Catholic High School’s Irish 4 Life group is going ahead with its scheduled trip to Washington, which will leave on Wednesday, Jan. 19 and include a day visiting the Lincoln Memorial and the memorials to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars on Jan. 20. The group will arrive home early Saturday, Jan. 22.
Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School is also planning to attend the March for Life. Students and adults will be joined by members of Pickerington Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. The trip will include a monument tour and a Mass with students from the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College. The group will return immediately after the March for Life.
The annual Respect Life Mass at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral, followed by the Roe Remembrance gathering in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, will take place Monday, Jan. 24.
For up-to-date information on the Washington events, including any vaccination, masking and distance requirements, go to www.marchforlife.org.