BOULDER, CO, November 6, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Colorado Catholic Church that is serving as a voting station stirred up controversy after deciding not to take down a display that includes thousands of crosses representing “3,300 Abortions Daily in the USA.”
Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church first made headlines in 2005 when it held funeral and burial services for children who had been aborted locally.
Now, it is reaching out to the parents of abortion victims. In addition to the crosses the display includes signs reading “3,300 Crosses,” “3,300 Abortions Daily in the USA,” “3,300 Lives Ended,” “3,300 Mothers, 3,300 Fathers,” “There is Hope and Healing” and “Need help? Call 877-HOPE-4-ME.”
Organizers intended the display to “give others hope and encouragement to seek support after abortions.”
The display is outside the required 100-ft perimeter for political demonstrations, though county election officials have ruled the display non-political anyway.
Church pastor Rev. Marcus Mallick has indicated no intention of removing the display, nor has he been asked to by election officials.
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Initially, the church had indicated that it would dismantle the October “Respect Life Month” display this past weekend, but on Friday a church representative notified officials that “Father has elected to keep it up,” reports TimesCall.com.
Due to voter complaints, election officials have decided to allow voters the option of voting at alternate voting locations.
A county election coordinator told press that the church would not be used as a polling location for future elections. “Our concern is that people are going to feel a sense of conflict with regard to voting at this church,” said Molly Tayer, Boulder County’s deputy clerk.
Pro-life blogger Jill Stanek applauded the decision to keep the display up through the election saying, “I love Father Mallick. He’s my kind of pastor.”