Respect Life

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.

Past Events:

Respect Life Mass - January 22 – Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  The annual Respect Life Mass will be Monday, January 22, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral.  Bishop Campbell will be the celebrant.  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.  FLYER - Respect Life Mass
 
Roe Remembrance at Ohio Statehouse.  Greater Columbus Right to Life will sponsor this event on Monday, 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.  

Issues
Abortion
Post Abortion and Reconciliation and Healing
Infanticide
Bioethics and Reproductive Technologies
Human Cloning
Stem Cell Research
Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide
Death Penalty
Vaccines

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 Mass on January 22, 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.