About This Book
In 1975 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops issued "A Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities." This statement focuses attention on the many ways in which respect for basic human rights are being violated in our society. The legalization of abortion and the threat of legalized euthanasia are primary in these violations.
In the introduction to the Pastoral Plan the Bishops declare "…the duty of individuals and society to respect human life is grounded in the dignity of the human person, made in the image of God. Recognition of this duty is thoroughly consistent with the legal traditions of our own nation, whose Declaration of Independence names the right to life as first among the unalienable rights conferred by our Creator."
With this in mind, the Bishops asked that a Respect Life Committee be formed in each parish in the United States and that Respect Life materials be published annually by their National Office. The materials are sent to every pastor and set a theme for educational, spiritual, pastoral care and legislative activities for the year.
This book is intended to augment those materials, not to replace them. It is meant to be a helpful guide for the Respect Life Chairman and committee on a daily basis. It should be used with the realization that its suggestions may not be applicable in every situation and parish.
We, the Archdiocesan staff and volunteers who contributed to this hand-book, have worked on parish Respect Life committees for a combined total over 100 years. The ideas have come mainly from our experiences. We under-stand the difficulties that can be encountered in parish work and it is with this insight that we offer this Parish Leader's Handbook. It can be used as a handy primer to begin a parish program, or to improve and enrich an existing one.
A Culture of Death
"In our century, as at no other time in history, the [culture of death] has assumed a social and institutional form of legality to justify the most horrible crimes against humanity: genocide, final solutions, ethnic cleansings, and the massive taking of lives of human beings even before they are born, or before they reach the natural point of death"
—Pope John Paul II, August 15, 1993. Homily, Denver, Colorado.
A Culture of Life
"The culture of life means respect for nature and protection of God's work of creation. In a special way it means respect for human life from the first moment of conception to its natural end.... The culture of life means thanking God every day for His gift of life, for our work and dignity as human beings and for the friendship and fellowship He offers as we make our pilgrim way toward our eternal destiny."
—Pope John Paul II, August 15, 1993. Farewell, Stapleton Airport, Denver.
