Marching, praying for an end to abortion

Archbishop George J. Lucas joined other pro-life supporters in publicly witnessing to the sanctity of life Jan. 21 and 22 in Omaha.

First, a local March for Life was held Jan. 21 as an alternative to the archdiocesan pilgrimage to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. The archdiocese canceled the trip to Washington because of the current COVID surge.

JIMMY CARROLL/STAFF

Instead, about 150 students and adults from several schools and parishes, who would have made that trip, gathered at St. Margaret Mary Church in Omaha for prayer, then marched through Elmwood Park to the St. John Paul II Newman Center for Mass and eucharistic adoration with the archbishop.

JIMMY CARROLL/STAFF

A similar event in Norfolk that day – the second annual Northeast Nebraska March for Life – drew about 700 people, including people from the Norfolk area and would-be attendees of the Washington, D.C., March for Life from rural parishes and schools.

Then, on Jan. 22, the 49th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion throughout the country, the archbishop led about 75 pro-life supporters in prayer before the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Omaha.

MIKE MAY/STAFF

MIKE MAY/STAFF

Finally, pro-life supporters have one more opportunity to stand up for life at the 48th annual Nebraska Walk for Life Jan. 29 in Lincoln. The event is sponsored by Nebraska Right to Life.

Participants will gather at 10 a.m. on the north side of the State Capitol, at 15th and K streets, for a brief program before proceeding to the Nebraska Union at 14th and R streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus to hear keynote speaker, actress Ashley Bratcher – who starred in the pro-life movie “Unplanned.” 

Before the walk, participants are also invited to attend a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Church across from the Capitol at 1420 K St., sponsored by the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC). The Mass will be livestreamed on the NCC Facebook page.

A mask mandate is in effect for the City of Lincoln. Masks will be required for most individuals at indoor events. For more information, see  https://app.lincoln.ne.gov/city/covid19/how-to-help.htm#face-covering.