Bishop O’Connell emphasizes that Catholics have the ‘duty to protect’ all human life during first statewide Mass for Life
September 26, 2024 at 2:41 p.m.
Bishop O'Connell preaches his homily during the Mass for Life. Facebook photoBefore the standing room only congregation who gathered for the first statewide Mass for Life in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, plus the overflow of several hundred more watching the livestream in the Cathedral dining hall, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., decried how the threat of abortion remains “our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself.”
PHOTO GALLERY: First statewide Mass for Life
PHOTO GALLERY: 2024 March for Life
“Remember these words. Preeminent priority – not the only priority but the preeminent, fundamental basis of all other priorities,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily to the congregants of all ages and walks of life and parts of New Jersey. “[It] directly attacks life itself – not some other less significant aspect of reality but life. [It] takes place within the sanctuary of the family – whether both parents contribute to the decision or not, they are still parents. Because of the number of lives destroyed – ultimately, death is the choice and outcome whatever the reasons given.”
For the Mass that was livestreamed in both English and Spanish on youtube.com/trentondiocese, Bishop O’Connell joined his brother Bishops including Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., of Newark, who was principal celebrant. About seven other Bishops, and scores of priests from the five New Jersey Dioceses, were also among the concelebrants.
Following the Mass, many of the congregants took part of the NJ March for Life held on the grounds of the statehouse annex where they offered peaceful witness to the sanctity of unborn life.
More to come on this story.
Cardinal Tobin incenses the altar at the start of Mass. Facebook photo
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Bishop O'Connell preaches his homily during the Mass for Life. Facebook photoBefore the standing room only congregation who gathered for the first statewide Mass for Life in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, plus the overflow of several hundred more watching the livestream in the Cathedral dining hall, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., decried how the threat of abortion remains “our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself.”
PHOTO GALLERY: First statewide Mass for Life
PHOTO GALLERY: 2024 March for Life
“Remember these words. Preeminent priority – not the only priority but the preeminent, fundamental basis of all other priorities,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily to the congregants of all ages and walks of life and parts of New Jersey. “[It] directly attacks life itself – not some other less significant aspect of reality but life. [It] takes place within the sanctuary of the family – whether both parents contribute to the decision or not, they are still parents. Because of the number of lives destroyed – ultimately, death is the choice and outcome whatever the reasons given.”
For the Mass that was livestreamed in both English and Spanish on youtube.com/trentondiocese, Bishop O’Connell joined his brother Bishops including Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., of Newark, who was principal celebrant. About seven other Bishops, and scores of priests from the five New Jersey Dioceses, were also among the concelebrants.
Following the Mass, many of the congregants took part of the NJ March for Life held on the grounds of the statehouse annex where they offered peaceful witness to the sanctity of unborn life.
More to come on this story.
Cardinal Tobin incenses the altar at the start of Mass. Facebook photo