If you’d like to support legislators who defend traditional marriage, parental rights, religious liberty and the humanity of the unborn, there’s an upcoming event you may want to attend.
The Pillar Project, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 on the west steps of the state Capitol, will honor Colorado legislators who consistently defend those four pillars of moral truth that many of the great religions agree on.
To encourage the lawmakers, some 22 Catholic priests from the Denver and Colorado Springs dioceses will join other religious leaders from a variety of faith traditions in recognizing them.
“Everybody is invited,” said Father John Paul Leyba, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Westminster and an advisory board member of the program. “As many people as we can get to be there would be great so the legislators can see they have support.”
The event is sponsored by the Patriot League, a public advocacy organization that seeks the common good of society through the advancement of America’s founding principles.
“The core of the Pillar Project is religious leaders who have committed to stand together in calling on their governing officials to defend traditional marriage, parental rights, religious liberty and the humanity of the unborn,” founder and president Aaron Robertson said about the non-partisan Colorado nonprofit. “Right now we work with 86 religious leaders—about 25 percent are Catholic priests.
“We work to correct unjust laws and influence society toward a consensus on the indispensability of those four pillars,” continued Robertson who is an evangelical Christian, husband and father. “We view them as critical for sustaining America’s ability not only to survive but to thrive.”
The Pillar Project has a working relationship with about a third of Colorado’s 100 legislators, four of which will be presented Friend of Motherhood awards at the event.
“The awards give voice to the essential role mothers play in society and how the pillar principles uphold and are interwoven in the role of motherhood,” Robertson said, adding that the nominations come from the lawmakers’ peers.
Four mothers representing different ethnic and faith traditions will bestow the awards.
“A Vietnamese woman from my parish will present one of them,” Father Leyba said.
Legislators speaking at the event include Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Kevin Lundberg on the topic of parental rights, Sen. Tim Neville on religious liberty and Rep. Kim Ransom on the humanity of the unborn. Robertson will speak on traditional marriage.
The first Pillar Project was held in 2014. In addition to many Catholics, it drew participation from evangelical and orthodox Christians, Muslims and Jews.
Those at the event may not share a unity of faith, Robertson said, but they stand in solidarity for the defense of the pillars.
“We encourage folks to join us for this one-hour, once-a-year event,” he said. In a video about the gathering, he urges, “Come if you believe in these principles and you want to do something meaningful for those defending them. Most of all come if you want to see these principles endure for future generations.”
Pillar Project
When: 10 a.m. Sept. 24
Where: West steps of state Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Blvd., Denver
Info: www.pillarproject.com