Denver, Colo., Jan 23, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Archbishop Charles Chaput, speaking to a standing room only crowd at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver on Saturday called the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, “a day of hope” for the faithful.
The Respect Life Mass was held on the 32nd anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States.
Calling to mind St. Vincent, whose feast day was Saturday, the Archbishop told the congregation that, “because of your kindness and persistence, the Lord will bless your efforts as He did St. Vincent’s.”
St. Vincent is remembered for converting his persecutors.
The Archbishop also discussed what he called the “two daughters of hope”-- anger and courage.
“If you don’t have anger at the evils of the world,” he said, “you’ll have no hope to change them.”
“It’s difficult for us”, he continued, “to move from anger to courage to hope alone; that’s why we’re here together today.”
Because of this great gift of our Lord, we can have confidence in our works”, he said.
The Mass was followed by an informal procession to a pro-life rally, sponsored by the Colorado Right to Life, on the western steps of the Colorado state capital blocks away.