People with Catholics for Choice gather while projecting abortion rights messages onto the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Jan. 20, 2021. RNS photo by Jack Jenkins
“We wanted to be out here to say the March for Life does not speak for us,” she said. “The March for Life is not representative of the convictions of the vast majority of Catholics in the United States.”
The Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer on Dobbs v. Jackson, an abortion case that could overturn or gut Roe v. Wade. When activists assembled outside the court in December during oral arguments in the case, faith groups were well represented among anti-abortion advocates and those who support abortion rights — including Catholics for Choice.
Manson called it a “frightening time” for activists like herself, but she is primarily concerned for women who have had or are seeking abortions.
“Obstructions to abortion can disproportionately impact the poor, people of color, LGBTQ people, people who are already vulnerable or in states of profound powerlessness,” she said “They’re going to suffer more — the poor will get poorer; the sick will get sicker.”
“We feel a profound moral obligation to be engaged in this issue.”
Manson added that she hoped the protest could spark dialogue with church officials, saying, “I want them to hear abortion stories.”
A few minutes later, as the group began to conclude the protest, dozens of churchgoers began to exit the basilica. Organizers left up the lights for a few more minutes, watching as the worshippers craned their necks to see the words.
This article originally appeared here.
