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.

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 Office
The diocesan Respect Life Office serves to implement components of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Respect Life Program. The office researches, identifies, and analyzes life issues within the context of Catholic social teaching to determine the impact of issues and to formulate an effective response. The office also serves 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 Respect Life Office provides education, information, leadership training, and community building opportunities for parish leaders.

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

The Respect Life Office:

• 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 near January 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion in the United States; 
• Conducts an annual Diocesan Respect Life Conference.
• Publishes the For Life newsletter,  click here.
• Sponsors an annual Diocesan Senior Citizens' Celebration during the month of June.  The bishop acts as celebrant for the Mass. A luncheon follows.