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.

Building a Culture of Life Conference
Respect Life, Bioethics, Leadership

Saturday, October 20, 2018
St. John Neumann Church, Sunbury

Featured Topics:

Foundation of Pro-Life Action
Lost in the Labyrinth: Current State of Assisted Reproductive Technologies 
Advocating for Children with Disabilities
Legislative Update
End of Life Discussions and Directives 
Answering the Hard Questions - Panel 
List of speakers and times on registration website.

Join us for an extraordinary event featuring prominent pro-life speakers and offering resources to equip you to build a culture of life.  Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 9633 E. State Route 37, Sunbury.  Sponsored by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, Marriage & Family Life Office, Greater Columbus Right to Life, and FEMM.  Cost:  $25.  Register by October 16.  For a list of speakers and to register, visit https://bclc2018.eventbrite.com or call 614-241-2540.   Click Here for Flyer.

Click Here to Register

October is Respect Life month

Respect Life Month is October and Respect Life Sunday is October 7^th.  Every Life:  Cherished, Chosen, Sent 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 

Catholic Times Respect Life Month Issue

Upcoming Events

40 Days for Life:  The Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign will be held at the Planned Parenthood surgical abortion facility at 3255 E Main St, Columbus. This facility is currently central Ohio's only surgical abortion facility. The campaign runs from Wednesday, September 26^th until Sunday, November 4th and seeks to fill the hours of 7am until 7pm with peaceful, prayerful action.  Please consider joining us 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 by calling 614-445-8508. 

Respect Life Mass - January 22 – Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  The annual Respect Life Mass will be Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 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 Tuesday, 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
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 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.