Archbishop Michael Byrnes celebrated Mass for the Protection of the Unborn at 4 p.m. today, Friday, January 29 at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna in unison with other Catholic churches on Guam.
The Archdiocese of Agana is showing solidarity with Catholics nationwide in prayerful opposition to abortion through the Masses.
Archbishop Byrnes encouraged all Catholics to participate in the Masses. Because of the pandemic, the archdiocese is adjusting its observation of the national March for Life peaceful protest against abortion and the Roe vs. Wade supreme court decision which legalized abortion 48 years ago. With safety in mind, the Archdiocese celebrated the Masses in place of the local rally.
Prayer intentions for the unborn were recited and the churches tolled their bells at 4 p.m. in memory of the millions of unborn children killed through abortion.
National March for Life organizers have adjusted their annual activities protesting the legalization of abortion through Roe vs. Wade this year because of the global pandemic.
“In light of the fact that we are in the midst of a pandemic which may be peaking, and in view of the heightened pressures that law enforcement officers and others are currently facing in and around the Capitol, this year’s March for Life will look different,” March for Life organizers declare in a statement on their official website, https://marchforlife.org/statement-on-2021-march-for-life/.
“The annual rally will take place virtually and we are asking all participants to stay home and to join the March virtually,” officials stated.
The health and protection of all Guam Catholics was also a high priority of the Archdiocese of Agana. Gathering for prayers and Masses at individual churches was under controlled and restricted conditions. The churches also followed established archdiocese and community protocols.
##
