Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington, and Parishioners from Across the Diocese Participate in Today's March for Life

ARLINGTON, Va. - Today, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge is leading a group of Arlington parishioners participating in the March for Life, the largest pro-life event in the world. Each year, Bishop Burbidge meets participants from the Diocese of Arlington and walks with them throughout the March. Parishioners from most of the Diocese's 70 parishes are participating in today's event.

“It is an incredible experience to join thousands of pro-lifers from around the country in taking a stand for the sacredness of all human life,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington. “Each year, I am moved by the dedication and zeal of people from all walks of life traveling, often through the night, to ensure that their voices are heard and that the dignity of every human person is upheld. I hope that today's peaceful gathering renews their enthusiasm to protect the unborn.”

In addition to participating in today's March for Life, yesterday evening, more than 8,000 teenage pro-life activists from across the country gathered at George Mason University's EagleBank Arena in Fairfax to take a stand for life on behalf of Generation Z. This morning, 5,000 teenagers began the day at EagleBank Arena with a rally and Mass. The Life is VERY Good events are hosted annually by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington both for local activists and as a measure of hospitality to the thousands of people from throughout the country who travel to the District of Columbia for the March for Life and associated events. This year, forty-nine dioceses and archdioceses from 26 states participated.

In the wake of efforts to loosen restrictions on abortion in several states last year, The Marist Poll provided statistics early last year (February 2019) demonstrating a dramatic shift to a pro-life outlook, particularly among younger Americans. Americans are now equally split on how they identify on this issue: 47 percent pro-life and 47 percent pro-choice. One month prior, The Marist Poll showed the split 38 to 55 percent, respectively. The sudden and dramatic shift is being celebrated by pro-lifers and should cause concern among state elected officials considering fewer abortion restrictions, expanding abortion access, and reducing health standards for abortion clinics.

On February 13, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia will be home to its second March for Life in Richmond. For more information, click here.

For more information, visit the Catholic Diocese of Arlington's website.

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The Catholic Diocese of Arlington was established on August 13, 1974, and is home to 70 parishes and more than 460,000 Catholics. There are currently 276 priests serving in the Diocese and 49 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, four diocesan high schools, four independent Catholic schools and five free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 17,000 students.

Geographically, the Diocese includes the seven cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester and the 21 counties of Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland.