October 10, 2026

Bishop Byrne encourages participation in Mercy 4 Life Oct. 11

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – With Respect Life Month underway, Bishop William D. Byrne is encouraging all to participate in the Hosea Initiative’s Mercy 4 Life, Sunday, Oct. 11. Parishes can offer specific intentions for an end to abortion and for all of those hurt by abortion.

The goal is to have 250 churches of any denomination across the country participate in this prayer initiative in honor of America’s birthday.

“On October 11, the Mercy 4 Life Hosea Initiative is going on across the country. So, whether you do an intercession, add it to your rosary, say a special rosary, make it a Mass intention, whatever is to be done let’s do it,” Bishop Byrne said in his Instagram post.

“Let’s pray to end abortion in our country and to be a land that truly respects human life,” he said.

The Hosea Initiative was founded in 2011 to expose the abortion industry. The inspiration was the conversion of Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who was known as America’s abortion king. He performed more than 60,000 abortions and founded the National Abortion Rights Action League. But through ultrasound technology, he had a change of heart on abortion. He directed the “Silent Scream,” in 1984, which documented an abortion procedure through video of an ultrasound. He spent the rest of his career advocating for life.

To learn more go to https://hosea4you.org/mercy4life/