“We stand for life!” chanted some of the 3,500 people who attended the 7th annual Virginia March for Life in downtown Richmond April 2.
On this day, taking a stand meant taking some steps. Step by step, pro-lifers marched around Capitol Square, encouraged along the way by the sights of people carrying banners, flags, and signs, as well as the sounds of pipes and drums, and voices magnified by bullhorns.
The march, hosted by March for Life and The Family Foundation of Virginia, took place following a rally at the Capitol Square’s Bell Tower. There were approximately ten guest speakers, including Bishop Barry C. Knestout.
Attendees were people of different ages, faiths, backgrounds, and political beliefs – united in knowing that every baby is a blessing and every life has a purpose in God. Members of the faithful from both the Arlington and Richmond dioceses were among those in the crowd, including Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, of Arlington.
Bishop Knestout remarked that it was good to be with everyone and prayed “that the Lord will strengthen each of us in our advocacy and our work to sustain and promote the dignity of human life.”
He noted, as did many of the speakers, that there is currently a very serious threat to life despite the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling in 2022 which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade.
Efforts are ongoing which would guarantee the right to abortion in the state constitution.
This year, the General Assembly passed a resolution that would allow abortion at any stage of pregnancy. The amendment must pass in the General Assembly two years in a row – if it passes next year, voters will decide on the issue via referendum in the fall of 2026.
“We ask the Lord and the Spirit for courage – courage to defend life against many obstacles,” said Bishop Knestout.
“The constitutional amendments that are proposed that would try to enshrine abortion rights [are] alarming,” he added, saying it would be a tragedy if that were to happen.
“It’s an important issue that we need to be concerned about,” said Father Ken Shuping, pastor of St. Bridget, Richmond, as he marched down the road. “There’s a lot happening in the Virginia legislature right now and we need to be paying attention and asking, ‘where is our faith leading us?’ ‘How do we put our faith into action when it comes to this issue?’”
Members of various Knights of Columbus councils were seen at the rally and march. “We come every year. We’re here to support life,” said Dan Scherder, a member of Knights of Columbus Council #5476 at St. Bridget. “We’re here to send a message to the legislature that we oppose their pro-abortion legislation and that all life is precious.”
Parishioners from outside the Richmond area also wanted to send a message. “We live for God first and foremost, and we believe life is sacred,” said Shauna Eltzroth, parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi, Staunton. “We need to follow that and be apostles of Christ.”
Groups of students from Catholic schools were bright, enthusiastic faces among the marchers. “I’m really excited to be here because I’m able to be with my school,” said Mary Michael Spiller, a sophomore at St. Gertrude High School, Richmond. “I really have enjoyed seeing how the community can come together to support a cause, and I think this cause is really important.”
About 100 students from the Benedictine Schools of Richmond attended, marching proudly behind a large green school banner. The girls of St. Gertrude wore their green school uniforms and the boys from Benedictine College Preparatory wore their grey cadet uniforms, some marching with pipes and drums.
Matthew Faraci, a senior at Benedictine College Prep, said it has been very meaningful to attend the March for Life. “It’s my third time being at a March for Life. … now it’s kind of a tradition for me,” he said, “so it means a lot.”
“To support life – it’s very important from conception to death,” said Tammy Vosburg, health teacher at St. Gertrude. “We need to remember that we are all God’s children and all life matters.”
Kevin Givvons, a 6th grader at St. Joseph School, Petersburg, excitedly said that the march was “very fun! I liked it a lot and I want to do it again … because lives matter!”
Nearly 30 students from St. Joseph took part in the march, led by chaplain Father Gino Rossi and six chaperones. Isabel Coronado, an eighth grader at St. Joseph, said her mother and siblings also came out to march. “It really matters for unborn babies, so they can live out God’s purpose,” she said, softly but firmly.
“In the Order of Malta, one of our principal commitments is to defend the faith,” explained John McCulla, Richmond Region Hospitaller in the Order of Malta. “And there’s no better way to defend the faith than to march for life.”