Respect Life
We’ll Walk With You.
If you are a mother in need, a woman facing and unplanned pregnancy, a woman who has experienced abortion, or in any other need, our parish and our diocese are ready to help you. To find out about the many resources available in our area to help women, men, and families in need, see this diocesan web page. Or contact us at [email protected].
Learn More About These Issues Here:
Life Issues & Vaccines
Theology of the Body
Help After Abortion
Population Control
Why Can’t We Love Them Both?
The Importance of Fathers
Evangelium Vitae
Adoption
Abortion & the Law
Assisted Suicide
Persons with Disabilities
Prayerfully consider getting involved by participating in any of these events / projects!
About the Parish Respect Life Group
The Parish Respect Group promotes the sanctity of human life in our parish and community. We offer opportunities for parishioners to pray, become better educated, volunteer, and support organizations and events that encourage respect for all human life.
Commitment
If you want to attend or support any of our annual events – March for Life in January, Life Chain in October, 40 Days for Life, the Advent Giving Tree for Project Rachel/Gabriel Project – watch the bulletin for information. With the help of the parish Women’s Council, we also support A Woman’s Choice Crisis Pregnancy Center through a monthly diaper collection (every 2nd weekend of the month) and an Advent Greens sale.
What does the Catholic Church really teach about abortion?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church
“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first
moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among
which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. … Since the first century the Church has
affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains
unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely
contrary to the moral law.”
To read the complete passage in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2270-2271, see here. See also a fact sheet from the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church’s Constant Teaching here for a brief review of the Church’s teaching on abortion over time.
From Pope Francis:
“It is troubling to see how simple and convenient it has become for some to deny the existence of a
human life as a solution to problems that can and must be solved for both the mother and her unborn
child.”
See this and seven other statements about abortion from Pope Francis here.
From Pope Benedict XVI:
Pope Benedict XVI made this statement about the fundamental right to life:
“God’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother’s womb
and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between
them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Gn 1:26) in each one.”
See this and more statements about life issues from Pope Benedict here.
From Pope Saint John Paul II:
For women who have experienced abortion, Pope John Paul offered this word of encouragement and
mercy in Evangelium Vitae (no. 99).
“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the
many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it
was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly
what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so,
give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his
forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can
with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a
result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s
right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by
welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become
promoters of a new way of looking at human life.”
Longer statements about respect for human life have been made by recent popes, such as Pope John
Paul II’s encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, and Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Vitae.
How can you build a culture of life? Checkout our Internet Toolkit for some great web sites to help you out.
For more information, contact Dawn Beutner at [email protected].
