By Colleen Rowan

WEST VIRGINIA—The 2010 March for Life in Washington will give the faithful a chance to make the church’s pro-life message heard and to show that a health care system that supports abortion cannot be created, said Bishop Michael J. Bransfield.

“This is a pivotal time in our struggle to protect life, especially the unborn and the vulnerable,” Bishop Bransfield said. “Now with the health care movement, it has to be clear to the country that the values of human life are primary in the church’s teaching and are important to every human being. Health care is an important dimension to our country right now, but it cannot be seen as isolated from the value of human life from birth to natural death.

“This march will be an important statement to our country about how we feel about life and the fact that abortion is wrong,” Bishop Bransfield said. “Abortion cannot be paid for through the new health care programs. We cannot create a health care program that supports abortion, and we must protect the conscience rights for Catholics who work in health care and for our Catholic hospitals.”

Bishop Bransfield attends the march every year, joining the many groups of the faithful from the diocese at the Rally for Life on the Washington Mall prior to the march. He is also a concelebrant at the Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception every year and this year as well. The vigil will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21, and Bishop Bransfield encourages the faithful to join him for the Mass and the Rally for Life at noon on the Washington Mall followed by the March for Life to the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 22.

West Virginia Catholics will join the thousands from across the country who brave the frigid January temperatures every year in the nation’s capitol at the march.

Rev. Mr. Todd Garland, executive director of the diocesan Department of Social Ministries and director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Life, said that the march will give the faithful the chance to make the church’s voice heard.

“The annual March for Life is really a pilgrimage during which we demonstrate our faith and our fervent belief in the sanctity of life,” Deacon Garland said. “Participants have the opportunity to vote with their feet and know that their presence helps make the church’s voice known.”

Many parishes, including St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley, St. Leo Parish in Inwood and St. James Parish in Charles Town, will once again bring large groups. Roughly 42 students from Central Catholic High School in Wheeling will attend this year’s march as well. Jeff Smay, a theology teacher at Central, said that the students work hard to get the message out about the importance of bringing an end to abortion.

“The first principle of Catholic social justice is the dignity and value of all human life,” Smay said. “If we cannot protect and defend the most innocent and vulnerable of humans, how can we imagine defending the sacredness of life for all other people?”

For more information about attending the march, contact Christy Ramsey at (304) 380-0155.