Pro-life mass in Ohio cathedral disrupted by storming of pro-abortion protesters demanding free abortions

Last week, pro-abortion activists stormed St Joseph Cathedral in Ohio, disrupting a pro-life mass. According to LifeSiteNews, eight abortion activists made their way to the altar holding signs saying “Fund abortion, not cops”, and “Abortion on demand, end Hyde now” - a legislation preventing federal funds to pay for abortion - whilst also chanting “Two, four, six, eight, this Church teaches hate”.

As part of the U.S. Bishops “Respect Life” program, this mass, celebrated by Bishop Robert J. Brennan, was said for the annual “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children” held every year on 22nd January - the anniversary of Roe v Wade, which legalised abortion across the country.

The group of activists shouted verbal abuse at the security as they were escorted out of the church. They remained outside and continued to insult mass attendees, shouting phrases like: “Jesus hates you,” and “If hell is real, you can burn in it.”

Some mass attendees were visibly shaken, including children who were seen crying.

“Today during our Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, a group of protesters entered this sacred space in an attempt to disrupt our worship,” Bishop Brennan told LifeSiteNews on Friday afternoon. “I am deeply thankful to the Columbus Police, assisted by Diocesan staff, for the quick response without injury to anyone present. I want to express my great admiration and thanks to all those attending the Mass whose respectful and prayerful response reflects the joy, hope, and mercy that marks our pro-life witness. I also apologize to the families present whose children were exposed to this. On this day, in remembrance of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, I ask all to continue to pray for the unborn who died, for all those who have experienced the pain of abortion, and for those who cannot understand our divine and steadfast calling to champion this cause.”

A Roe Remembrance gathering was held after mass at the Ohio Statehouse, which was attended by Bishop Brennan and Bishop Edward Malesic, who addressed the crowd and offered a final prayer. The abortion activists continued to harass the pro-lifers as they walked to the gathering, and attempted to drown the speakers with a bullhorn and a loud siren.

“The fundamental right to be alive is what allows us to love everyone,” Bishop Malesic said. “There is no hatred on this side of the fence. We won’t win this argument (against those favoring abortion) by yelling. We will win this argument by the strength of it.”

“I often say you can’t attract people by fishing with bricks. You can’t put a brick in a pond and expect the fish to come out of it. This will not attract them. We need to attract people by our beauty. We attract people by our peace. We attract people by loving them.”

“There are two sides here, and it’s very odd,” Bishop Malesic continues. “Let me tell you, if I was an outside observer, I know exactly which side I would choose. There’s beauty and there’s ugliness. There’s peace and there’s violence. There’s love and there’s hatred. There’s life and there’s death.

“The Lord sets before us many choices. He asks us to take sides. May we side with life. May we side with beauty and peace and love and non-violence, including non-verbal violence. May we listen to each other and accompany each other, so that in the end, we will find ourselves where the Lord came to bring us, and that’s to a kingdom of peace and justice.”