Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Connecticut March for Life Draws Thousands to Capitol

Posted on March 24, 2022 in: News, ProLife

Connecticut March for Life Draws Thousands to Capitol

On Wednesday, March 23, Connecticut saw its first March for Life held on the steps of the State Capitol in Hartford. Organizers estimated there were about 3,000 marchers.

Among the speakers were Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life; Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, evangelical archbishop Leroy Bailey; senior pastor at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield; Sister of Life Mariae Agnus Dei; Christopher Healy, executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference; Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut; Lisa Maloney, president of the Connecticut Pregnancy Care Center Coalition, Christina Bennett of Live Action and State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, R-Prospect.

“With the prospect that the battle against abortion will go to the state level, we need to focus our efforts all the more at the local level," Archbishop Blair told the National Catholic Register. "I am gratified to see so many people here today … and thankful for the chance to publicly stand up for life.”

Connecticut has historically been one of the nation’s most aggressively pro-abortion states, and pro-life advocates have struggled to make any meaningful changes to the law.

The night before the march, St. Mary’s Church in New Haven hosted a “Mass for Life."

Archbishop Blair celebrated the Mass in the recently renovated church that houses the tomb of Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. 

In his homily, Archbishop Blair noted Connecticut’s reputation as a state where anti-life legislation has contributed to a prevalent culture of death. “We find ourselves in a cloud of darkness and death,” he said, “but the bright light of God’s joy and mercy is always with us.” 

The archbishop described the prevalence of abortion in American society as a sign of “mercilessness.”

He emphasized that Catholics believe “life from conception until natural death is sacred to God, the author of life,” and that, “in the end, all will be accountable to him.” 

In the face of the evil of abortion, he said, the faithful feel “the righteous indignation of the Old and New Testament prophets,” and Jesus himself “promised harsh judgment to the unrepentant.”

In 2022, the March for Life’s state march program will hold five state marches: Connecticut, Virginia, California, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 2023, that number will double to 10, then doubling again each year until all 50 states have an annual March for Life in their capital cities. 

FCC News Desk

Watch a full video program of the March:

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Watch the 2025 Chrism Mass and Homily by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne
The 2025 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 16th, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the blessing of the holy oils—used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders—and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy of the Diocese. We invite you to watch the video of the full Mass, especiall...

Read More

Photos & Video: The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy Ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich
The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy was ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich, Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. The gathering filled the cathedral for the Mass of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Reidy, who comes to Norwich from the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was vicar general. Pope Francis appointed Reidy as Sixth Bishop of Norwich in February.   Click here to see a photo gallery of the Ordination   Click here for more information about Bishop Reidy   Video of the compl...

Read More

Faithful Invited to Witness a Joyous Moment in Diocesan History — Parish Tickets and Livestream Offered
The Diocese of Norwich joyfully awaits the ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Richard F. Reidy as the sixth bishop of Norwich, to be held on Tuesday, April 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich. Due to the limited capacity of the Cathedral, each parish in the diocese has received an allotment of just four tickets per church to distribute. Anyone interested in attending in person must contact their parish office directly. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate ticket requests through the diocesan office. The ordination and installati...

Read More

Celebrating Our Faithful Servants: Priestly Jubilees of 2025
With gratitude and joy, the Diocese of Norwich extends heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to the priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination to the sacred priesthood in 2025. These dedicated men have faithfully answered God’s call, each offering years of devoted service to Christ and His Church. Celebrating 65 years of priesthood are Reverend Paul F. Ramen (ordained February 2, 1960) and Reverend John E. Welch, M.S. (May 28, 1960), whose lifetime of ministry continues to inspire. Marking 60 years, Monsignor James Carini (May ...

Read More

Pope Francis dies at 88, Ending Historic Pontificate Marked by Mercy and Reform
Pope Francis Dies at 88 on Easter Monday VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years. Official Announcement by the Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope’s death in a video message. “At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of...

Read More

‘Death is not the End of Everything’: Vatican Releases Pope’s Reflections on Aging, Dying
Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media The Vatican on Tuesday released a previously unpublished text by Pope Francis following his passing on Monday containing the late pontiff’s reflections on aging and death. “We must not be afraid of old age; we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things,” wrote Francis in the preface to a book in Italian by Cardina...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Memorial Display About the Papacy of Pope Francis on View at McGivney Pilgrimage Center
Who Are the Cardinals Who Will Choose the Next Pope?
Prayer for the Election of a New Pope
Photos & Video: The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy Ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich
Memorial Day Cemetery Mass Schedule
We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal.
Faith, Fellowship, and Fun for Homeschooling Families
The crucifix and the Pietà - Hope & Faith Series
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294