David Schmidt, director of the Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Youngstown, has a lot on his plate.
Before stepping into his current role nearly ten years ago, David worked for numerous parishes around the diocese in several roles—director of youth ministry, director of religious education, etc. He likes to work behind the scenes, clearing the way for others to do what they do best and connecting them with the resources they need.
Now, one of David’s biggest responsibilities is preparing engaged couples for marriage. While the diocese does provide guidance and resources for individual parishes, David also organizes and leads Engaged Couples Retreats for couples across the diocese. Information on upcoming retreats can be found at www.DOY.org.
David’s main focus at the moment, however, is on a proposed amendment to Ohio’s constitution which would enshrine abortion in Ohio state law. The proposed amendment, titled “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety,” is likely to be on the 2023 General Election Ballot in November. “It’s Roe v. Wade on steroids,” David said, adding that it would do away with common-sense measures that were allowed even during the Roe v. Wade era: “Things like parental consent, things like informed consent, things like the possibility of seeing an ultrasound of your unborn child before your abortion.” All nine of Ohio’s Bishops have acted together in urging their dioceses to vote against this proposed amendment on the November 7 ballot. David is working hard to communicate with parishes to ensure parishioners are registered to vote and are aware of the general election. He says he can only do so much though. It’s up to all of us in the Youngstown Diocese to stand up for the rights of the unborn. For more information, visit www.ohiocathconf.org/protect-ohio.
