DENVER (LifeSiteNews) – Denver’s Archbishop solemnly concluded the 40 Days for Life on Saturday with a Eucharistic procession that circled the Stapleton Planned Parenthood abortion facility three times. The Sisters of Life led those in attendance in praying numerous rosaries, and the whole event ended with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
According to the Denver Catholic, Archbishop Samuel Aquila said of the Eucharistic procession, “One of the most important things we can do as people of faith is to build a foundation of prayer under our efforts, so that God is the source of inspiration and strength for our outreach to mothers and their families.”
See video of Eucharistic Procession around Planned Parenthood #abortion clinic in Denver. #prolife #40DaysForLife pic.twitter.com/Fl9IBJbV3v
— Respect Life Denver (@RespectLifeDen) April 9, 2022
“That is why we are here processing around Planned Parenthood with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,” he explained. “Only he can help us love those in need and, at the same time, those who promote abortion.”
Myra Bueno, parishioner of Holy Cross in Thornton, said on Saturday, “We’re here to defend life, because we know that this is important: to defend the life of every child. Everyone deserves to have a birthday.”
“It’s important that we realize that life is beautiful and it’s forever,” commented Joan Murphy, parishioner of Queen of Peace in Aurora.
The public witness to the sanctity of life in Denver comes just after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the so-called Reproductive Health and Equity Act (RHEA) into law, codifying legalized abortion in the state up until birth. The bill makes it illegal to “deny, restrict, interfere with or discriminate against an individual’s fundamental right to use or refuse contraception or to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion.” It also states that “a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state.”
In response to the abortion bill, Aquila said, “The recent signing into law of RHEA means that we must redouble our efforts to help mothers and fathers who are considering abortion.”
“There is already great work being done through the Marisol Health clinics, crisis pregnancy centers, support groups like Project Rachael, and various parish-based ministries,” the archbishop continued, “but we have a long way to go in building a culture that welcomes life at every stage and in every condition. Supporters of RHEA have said they want to make Colorado an abortion destination, so we must work to make it a safe haven for unborn children.”