Ohio bishop asks for prayers for protesters who disrupted Respect Life Mass

• Catholic News Service
  Jan 25, 2021
  CONTRIBUTOR

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several women protesting the Catholic Church’s 

teaching against abortion disrupted an annual Respect Life Mass being 

celebrated by Bishop Robert J. Brennan at a downtown Columbus cathedral.

The protesters, which a video posted by The Columbus Dispatch showed 

to number about seven, stormed into St. Joseph Cathedral during the liturgy

Jan. 22 and marched through the sanctuary. They shouted that abortion 

was under attack and carried cardboard signs with messages supporting abortion.

Police and diocesan officials escorted the women out of the cathedral without 

incident. No arrests were made.

Brennan thanked police officers for their quick response to restore order in 

a statement released after the Mass, which commemorated the 48th anniversary 

of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.

“I want to express my great admiration and thanks to all those attending the 

Mass whose respectful and prayerful response reflects the joy, hope and mercy 

that marks our pro-life witness. I also apologize to the families present whose 

children were exposed to this,” Brennan said.

“On this day, in remembrance of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, I ask 

all to continue to pray for the unborn who died, for all those who have experienced 

the pain of abortion and for those who cannot understand our divine and steadfast 

calling to champion this cause,” the bishop also said.

 

Apologies to all for falling way behind in keeping this blog up-to-date.  

I have plenty of excuses -- but they are all moot.

I'll try to do better in the future.

God Bless,

SK Frank Vaughan