The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore temporarily closed June 24 on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
Church leaders said there was no specific threat against the historic basilica. The temporary closure was a precautionary move as some extremist abortion-rights activists have threatened Catholic institutions and pro-life pregnancy resource centers.
In a message to basilica parishioners, Father James Boric, rector, noted that perpetual eucharistic adoration at an undercroft chapel was suspended at 7 p.m. June 24. It will resume at noon June 26, he said. The rector said the front gates of the basilica were to open June 25 for confessions from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A previously-scheduled 8 a.m. Mass in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was celebrated June 25.
Father Boric noted that there have been no incidents at the basilica thus far.
The basilica, the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States, always has a security presence. The rector told parishioners additional security guards would be present over the weekend. Father Boric, who is preparing to leave the Archdiocese of Baltimore to become a Carmelite hermit in Minnesota, is planning to celebrate his last Mass at the parish 10:45 a.m. June 26.
Options@328, one of three pro-life pregnancy centers operated by the Center for Pregnancy Concerns, was planning to take additional security precautions. The center is located on Howard Street not far from the basilica.
Gina Ruppert, executive director of Center for Pregnancy Concerns and a parishioner of Sacred Heart in Glyndon, said in a June 24 statement that the center “remains open and undeterred as we continue to protect the physical, emotional and spiritual lives of women and their unborn children in downtown Baltimore and the surrounding region.”
Ruppert said the CPC was in direct communication with local law enforcement, the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, national affiliate groups and other pregnancy centers in the area to share information and coordinate efforts. She said the CPC reviewed security plans and implemented additional safety and evacuation measures at its three locations. Due to the threats of violence, CPC suspended having volunteers coming to centers, including dropping off material donations.
“As faithful Christians, we believe in the Lord’s grace, his transformative powers, and his plans for our ministry,” Ruppert said in the statement. “… While we remain hopeful in our uninterrupted ability to continue serving women and families in need, we ask for your intentional prayers for the protection of our ministry, clients, staff and property in the coming days.”
Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org
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