{"id":280242,"date":"2022-11-21T18:40:49","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T00:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=280242"},"modified":"2022-11-30T11:26:16","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T17:26:16","slug":"dc-archdiocese-cancels-annual-youth-rally-mass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/dc-archdiocese-cancels-annual-youth-rally-mass\/","title":{"rendered":"DC Archdiocese draws criticism for canceling annual Youth Rally and Mass for Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> that its annual Youth Rally and Mass for Life, both of which typically take place around the national March for Life in Washington, D.C., will not take place in January.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a consultation process that involved dialogue with other dioceses, ministry leaders and the partners who assist the Archdiocese in hosting the annual Rally and Mass,\u201d an undated <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a> on the archdiocese\u2019s website reads, \u201cThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has decided not to move forward with hosting the larger multi-Diocese Rally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Youth Rally and Mass for Life has been an annual event for the past 25 years. <\/span>According<\/span><\/a> to the Catholic News Agency, the Youth Rally has historically been the archdiocese\u2019s largest event.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Little detail was given regarding the reason for the cancellation, although it was implied that area dioceses would be shifting their focus to state-level pro-life work. \u201cDuring this consultation process, we heard from many dioceses who shared that they are turning their efforts to their state\u2019s March for Life now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. We certainly support their local work and pray for their success,\u201d says the archdiocese\u2019s <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, would like to express his deepest gratitude for the support and participation of Archdiocesan youth and young people who traveled to Washington, D.C. over these past twenty-five years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision was met with disapproval by some. Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, was <\/span>critical<\/span><\/a> of the move on Twitter, arguing that the cancellation could damage the national-level pro-life movement.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI must protest this cancellation,\u201d Bishop Strickland <\/span>tweeted<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWe have an extremely anti-life President & we cancel our national voice? Yes to state efforts, but we desperately need a national voice for life at this critical time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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I must protest this cancellation. We have an extremely anti-life President & we cancel our national voice? Yes to state efforts but we desperately need a national voice for life at this critical time. ??? https:\/\/t.co\/FSuiKJI8uq<\/a><\/p>\n

— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) November 15, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n