Pro-Life Ministries
With a deep reverence for each human person who is made in the image and likeness of God, the Office of Pro-Life Ministries supports building a culture of life and love in the Diocese of Columbus where each human person is cherished from conception until natural death.
The Office of Pro-Life Ministries supports building a culture of life through prayer, education, advocacy, and accompaniment.
“God has called us to be a People of Life. The need to build a Culture of Life will take time and patience. It will encounter resistance; nevertheless, we cannot abandon unborn children and their mothers. Law may refuse to recognize the dignity and right to life of the child in the womb, but we cannot be indifferent to the reality. When Mary visited Elizabeth, the child in her womb recognized the Presence of the Savior and leaped for joy, The Church wishes to acknowledge and defend the rights of the unborn child, while accompanying mothers in their time of need and during what should be a joyful time of their lives. May we rise to meet our responsibility, grateful for the gift of life we have received.”
–Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, December 7, 2023
Diocesan Office of Pro-Life Ministries
The Vicariate for Catholic Social Doctrine serves to implement components of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. Office staff research, identify, and analyze life issues within the context of Catholic social teaching to determine the impact of issues and to formulate an effective response. Office staff also serve to initiate and develop programs that assist parishes, schools, and organizations in identifying their own pro-life needs and aid in formulating an effective response. The Vicariate for Catholic Doctrine provides education, information, leadership training, and community-building opportunities for parish leaders.
Office of Pro-Life Activities Program Implementation
The Vicariate for Catholic Doctrine serves as a liaison to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.
Annual Senior Citizens Mass and Luncheon
The Annual Senior Citizens Mass and Luncheon is a great way to participate in community and celebrate being together. The 2026 Mass and luncheon were held at St. Brendan the Navigator with Mass celebrated by Bishop Fernandes. Information about the 2027 event to come at a later date.
In 2010, Bishop Fredrick F. Campbell and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women launched a Catholic cancer response initiative – Catholics for Cancer Prevention and Cure. In 2016, this initiative was renamed the St. Peregrine Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide resources for cancer screening, ethical research, and outreach to individuals and families dealing with all forms of cancer in the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
The St. Peregrine Fund helps cancer patients and their families with unmet needs through the Catholic hospital systems in our diocese, the Stephanie Spielman research and patient outreach funds, and a fund available to parishes outside the Catholic hospital systems networks through the diocesan Vicariate for Catholic Social Doctrine.
The Fund provides opportunities to connect acts of kindness (such as prayer shawls and chemo caps) with monetary needs.
Donations can be made through your parish, sent to the Vicariate for Catholic Social Doctrine (checks made out to Catholic Diocese of Columbus with St. Peregrine in the memo line, 197 East Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215), or online by clicking here.
There are many low-income and under-served people in our 23-county diocese, along with families whose medical bills have drained their resources. The fund can provide axillary items such items as compression garments, wigs, prosthetic breasts with bras, genetic counseling and testing, comfort bags, transportation, breast reconstruction, mammograms, medications, diet counseling, food gift cards, lymphedema treatment, etc.
The St. Peregrine Fund seeks the active involvement of all of our parishes, Catholic high schools, and Catholic elementary schools by challenging them to create small, medium, and large money-making events. 100% of all donations will be distributed through the St. Peregrine Fund (no administrative costs are deducted from the donations).
If you would like more information or help to start a fundraiser, contact Mary Kristof, Associate Director of Pro-Life Ministries at 614-241-5555 ext. 1432 or mkristof@columbuscatholic.org
Inspired by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) formal statement, Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography, Safe Haven Sunday is weekend set aside within the liturgical calendar by dioceses and parishes to directly address the societal harms of pornography.
Safe Haven Sunday will be March 21 and 22, 2026 throughout the Diocese of Columbus. This will be the 5th Sunday of Lent. Parishes and schools are asked to provide teaching and share resources that will support and protect individuals, marriages, and families in making all homes a safe haven.
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes Pastoral Letter to Parishes and Schools 2026
Safe Haven Sunday 2026 Video, Audio, and Written Scripts
Covenant Eyes Resources
Mary Kristof
Associate Director, Office of Pro-Life Activities
614-241-5555
mkristof@columbuscatholic.org