Both Girioux and Condit said their grandfather James Condit Sr., 93, is praying for the success of the rosary rally and the passage of Issue 1. “He was an attorney for over 50 years, with a lifelong commitment to fighting abortion and honored with awards for defending life,” Girioux said. Condit Sr. told the Register: “I am grateful that my grandsons Joe Condit and Johnny Girioux have been active as the creators of the crucial rosary rally on Aug. 6 to save Ohio’s children.”
A-list speakers
The celebrities taking part recognize what is at stake.
“After filming ... ‘Sound of Freedom,’ the experience instilled in me a relentless determination to protect God’s children at all costs,” Caviezel told the Register. “I urge everyone in Ohio and the tri-state area to come join me in this prayer rally on Aug. 6 in Cincinnati.”
Johnson explained why she will be at the rally: “Ohio is an important state when it comes to elections and politics. If this goes through, it could be dangerous. I think I have a responsibility to speak out on issues related to the family.”
David Bereit, founder of 40 Days for Life, is also lending support to the effort.
“Ohio is the most important battle over abortion in America since Roe v. Wade was overturned,” Bereit said. “This will set the stage of where, when, and how we will be battling for life over the next five to 10 years. Go to this rally.”
Aaron Baer, president of Center for Christian Virtue, said: “We’ve got to beat the abortion industry here in Ohio or it will be hard to stop them. It’s a beautiful thing to see the entire pro-life community coming together like we’ve never seen before.”
Yep of Catholics for Catholics told the Register: “The short-term goal is getting Issue 1 passed. It’s the best chance for us to stop the constitutional amendment on the November ballot.” He noted that it protects the Ohio Constitution against politicizing, pointing out that this would mirror the U.S. Constitution, where a 60/40 ratio is required for a change, and reflects Ohio’s corporations.
“We’re trying to align our state constitution with Ohio’s businesses and the U.S. Constitution,” Yep explained.
About the rally, he said: “We are leading with prayer. And we’re bringing our faith into the public square to remind people of the sacredness and the gift God has given us to use our free will to vote as laypeople.”
(Story continues below)
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According to the Catholic Conference of Ohio website, the Ohio bishops have no position on Issue 1 because “it does not have a moral content.” However, they roundly condemned the November pro-abortion ballot initiative and have called on Catholics to vote against it.
For more information, go to OhioIssue1.Life.
This article was first published at the National Catholic Register on Aug. 1, 2023, and is reprinted here on CNA with permission.
Patti Maguire Armstrong Patti (Maguire) Armstrong is an award-winning journalist and was managing editor and co-author of the bestselling Amazing Grace Series. Her latest books are the humorous and inspirational second-edition Dear God, I Don't Get It, Dear God, You Can't Be Serious!, What Would Monica Do? and Holy Hacks. Patti worked in social work and public administration before staying home as a freelance writer while she and Mark raised their 10 children in North Dakota.
Martin Barillas is a writer and translator, having once served as a U.S. diplomat in Europe and South America. A lifelong Catholic, he resides in Michigan with his wife Alice and their four children and grandchild. He has written on a variety of topics, including human rights, politics and religion. He is also a novelist.