The U.S. Catholic Bishops instituted the Respect Life Program in 1972 to focus attention on the breakdown of moral, social, and civil structures supporting human life in America. In 1975, the bishops adopted a Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities which urges the activation of the pastoral resources of the Church in four specific areas: Spiritual, Education/Public Information, Pastoral Care, and Legislative/Public Policy.

Upcoming Event



BUILDING A CULTURE OF LIFE CONFERENCE
RESPECT LIFE, BIOETHICS, AND LEADERSHIP
 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
 
Join us for an extraordinary event featuring dynamic speakers and offering resources to equip you to build a culture of life.
 
FEATURED TOPICS:
 

• Christ is Our Hope in Every Season, Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus
• Framing Pro-life Public Policy
• Legislative Update
• Racism: An Offense to the Life and Dignity of the Human Person
• New Pro-Life Advanced Medical Directives
• Breakout Sessions for Pro-Life Basics, Respect Life Coordinators, and Pro-Life Youth

 
List of speakers and times on registration website.
 
LOCATION:
St. John Neumann Church
9633 E. State Route 37
Sunbury, Ohio
 
 
REGISTRATION: 
$25 / $10 Student - Includes Lunch
Scholarships are available for those who wish to attend but are prohibited by financial circumstances.
 
Register at https://bclc2019.eventbrite.com or call 614-241-2540.
 
Registration Deadline is October 14.
  
For Flyer CLICK HERE
  
PRESENTED BY:



Other Upcoming Events

Parish Respect Life Coordinators Meeting – September 12.   The Office for Social Concerns will hold a Parish Respect Life Coordinators Meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2019, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Peter Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road, Columbus.  The meeting will highlight the Respect Life Program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, discuss best practices, and offer time for sharing among parish leaders.  This is a great opportunity to meet Catholics in the ministry from other parishes and discover ways to strengthen your parish ministry.  Please RSVP at 614-241-2540 or socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org.  

Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign – September 25 to November 3.  The Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign will be held at Founder’s Abortion Pill Clinic, 1243 E. Broad Street, Columbus.  The campaign runs from Wednesday, September 25^th until Sunday, November 3^rd with peaceful, prayerful action.  Please consider joining Greater Columbus Right to Life for an hour on your own or organizing and adopting a day through your church.  You can learn more about the campaign or sign up for a time at www.gcrtl.org/40-days-for-life or 614-445-8508.

October is Respect Life month

Respect Life Month is October and Respect Life Sunday is October 6^th.  Christ Our Hope in Every Season of Life is the theme of this year’s Respect Life Program.  The USCCB Respect Life Program includes timely articles in the form of bulletin inserts, posters, and prayer and worship resources. For resources to promote the dignity of human life, visit

www.usccb.org/respectlife 

Building a Culture of Life Conference - October 19
Our Building a Culture of LIfe Conference will be on Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 9633 E. State Route 37, Sunbury.  Topics include pro-life public policy, our response to racism, advanced medical directives, pro-life youth, and a message from Bishop Brennan.  Sponsored by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, Marriage & Family Life Office, and Greater Columbus Right to Life.  Cost:  $25 / Students $10.  Register by October 14.  For a list of speakers and to register, visit https://bclc2019.eventbrite.com or call 614-241-2540.  Click here for flyer.

Respect Life Mass - January 22 – Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. The annual Respect Life Mass will be Wednesday January 22, 2020, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral. On this day of the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, our diocese will join all dioceses of the United States in observing a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. All are invited. For more, visit www.usccb.org/prolife or contact Social Concerns at 614-241-2540.
 
Roe Remembrance at Ohio Statehouse.  Greater Columbus Right to Life will sponsor this event on Wednesday, January 22, noon to 1 p.m., at the Ohio Statehouse following the 10:30 a.m. Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. The program will be held in the Statehouse Atrium. Please allow extra time for new Statehouse security measures.  Stickers, signs, and weapons are not permitted inside. For additional information, visit www.gcrtl.org/roe.html.

January Respect Life Events. For a complete listing of January Respect Life events (local prayer and witness, bus trips to March for Life in Washington, DC, etc.) and resources to help you build a culture of life, CLICK HERE.

Catholic Times Respect Life Month 2018 Issue

  
Issues

Abortion
Post Abortion and Reconciliation and Healing
Infanticide
Bioethics and Reproductive Technologies
Human Cloning
Stem Cell Research
Human Trafficking
Racism
Pornography - My House Columbus - Catholic Sexual Integrity Initiative
Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide
Death Penalty
Vaccines

For other issues related to the dignity of the human person, visit our other pages on the Office for Social Concerns website.

Resources

Resources about the above topics:
Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities - USCCB
Catholic Conference of Ohio - Issues

Diocesan Respect Life Program

The Office for Social Concerns serves to implement components of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Respect Life Program. 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 respect life needs and aids to formulate an effective response. The Office for Social Concerns provides education, information, leadership training, and community building opportunities for parish leaders.

Respect Life Program Implementation
The Office for Social Concerns serves as a liaison to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-life Activities.

The Respect Life Program:

• Promotes efforts during Respect Life Month (October). Respect Life Sunday is the 1st  Sunday of October; 
• Promotes  The Catholic Times Respect Life Issues during Respect Life Month; 
• Works with parish Respect Life Coordinators; 
• Sponsors a 10:30 a.m. Mass on January 22, at St. Jospeh Cathedral, Columbus, with the Bishop on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion in the United States; 
• Conducts an annual Diocesan Respect Life Conference.
• Sponsors an annual Diocesan Senior Citizens' Celebration during the month of June.  The bishop serves as celebrant for the Mass. A luncheon follows.