Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, the marathon-running bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, is rallying support for the nation’s largest pro-life running event, LIFE Runners’ “A-Cross America Relay.”
Bishop Paprocki, who serves as the LIFE Runners team chaplain, offered his wholehearted support for the event in an Aug. 15 statement shared by president and founder of LIFE runners Dr. Pat Castle.
“I offer my encouragement, support, and prayers for all those participating in the A-Cross America Relay for Pro-Life,” Bishop Paprocki stated. “May God bless you and make your legs swift and strong!”
Bishop Paprocki, an enthusiastic long-distance runner, is the author of “Running for a Higher Purpose: 8 Steps to Spiritual and Physical Fitness.” According to a Diocese of Springfield webpage about his book, Bishop Paprocki took up running as a teenager and completed his first marathon in his forties. Through his running journey, he learned important connections between the spiritual life and maintaining one’s physical health.
As reported previously by CatholicVote, the “A-Cross America Relay” will take place from Sept. 6 to Oct. 19 and will see participants covering 5,183 miles across the United States. Participant jerseys will bear the message, “REMEMBER The Unborn.”
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LIFE Runners invites participants from around the globe to walk or run 5K legs, either on the designated relay course or elsewhere, uniting in the pro-life mission. The event’s routes will trace a cross over America as designated teams run from the North, South, East, and West.
The event has garnered support from various sponsors, including the Archdiocese of San Francisco, EWTN, and the Thomas More Society.
Bishop Joe Coffey of the Military Archdiocese USA also expressed his excitement about the relay, noting in the Aug. 15 news release that he will be running some of the legs himself.
“I highly encourage everyone to participate in and enjoy another incredible A-Cross America Relay. I look forward to seeing you out there celebrating Life and remembering the unborn,” he said.
LifeNews Note: Rachel Quackenbush writes for CatholicVote, where this column originally appeared.
