Pro-life events scheduled for January

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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Catholics will have the opportunity to stand for the rights of the unborn at three events later this month: the Diocesan Mass for the Unborn, Utah March for Life and a bilingual rosary for life at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

A June 24, 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision determined that the Constitution of the United States does not protect the right to abortion. This decision allows states to set their own abortion laws. Although a Utah law known as the Utah Trigger Law that would prohibit abortions except in case of rape or incest or to protect the life of the mother was set to go into effect with the court’s decision, just a day after the decision was issued, Third District Judge Andrew Stone granted a temporary request for an injunction from Planned Parenthood Association of Utah to stop the law from going into effect. In July 2022 the Utah Supreme Court suspended the Trigger Law until a lawsuit against it by Planned Parenthood could be heard. No date has been set for that hearing.

Under Utah law, the removal of a miscarriage, stillborn or ectopic pregnancy is not illegal and not considered an abortion.

“Abortion is still happening, is still taking place, and it’s really important for us as Catholics to continue to build a culture of life that’s about converting hearts and to also support women and families,” said Crystal Painter, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life.

Among the ways Catholics can build a culture of life is to attend pro-life events such as those being held this month.

The Diocesan Mass for the Unborn and Ceremony of Lights will be held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Friday, Jan. 24. Bishop Oscar A. Solis will preside. All are welcome.

Local Catholics also are encouraged to participate in the Utah March for Life, which is sponsored by Pro-Life Utah. The march will be held at the Capitol at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. Members of the diocese will gather there at 10:30 a.m. to pray the rosary prior to the march. Bishop Solis is scheduled to attend.

“I think it’s important that we participate as Catholics,” Painter said. “Non-religious people are welcomed by Pro-Life Utah to attend the march, but for us, we know prayer is very important. So to come together as a Catholic community and pray a bilingual rosary, I think, is a great way for us to participate as Catholics.”

A second bilingual rosary will be offered on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Nationwide events to remember the unborn are also being held this month. They include a Jan. 22 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children and a Jan. 16-24 9 Days for Life Novena, which is available in both English and Spanish. To sign up for the novena, visit https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup.

The USCCB National Prayer Vigil for Life schedule is available at https://www.usccb.org/prolife/national-prayer-vigil-life-schedule.

Diocesan Mass for the Unborn & Ceremony of Lights

Friday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, SLC

Utah March for Life

Saturday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m. at the Utah State Capitol, 350 State S., SLC

This event is sponsored by ProLife Utah. Local Catholics will gather on the south steps at 10:30 a.m. to pray the rosary.

In inclement weather the rosary will be held in the Hall of Governors.

Bilingual Rosary for the Unborn

Sunday, Jan. 26, 2 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., SLC at the Monument for the Unborn

In inclement weather it will be held in the mausoleum.