The Respect Life Office

The Office of Life, Peace and Justice provides education, advocacy, and pastoral support to all our brothers and sisters, regardless of their circumstance, in order to uphold their inherent and immeasurable worth and dignity as children of God.  This is done in a variety of ways.  First is by educating people regarding the Church’s teachings on abortion, physician assisted suicide/euthanasia, death penalty, end of life and bioethics.  The goal of this education is that people will take action by become involved in their communities to advocate for laws and services which maintain the dignity of all human life and that they become active in ministries which support these causes.  Another piece of the ministry involves ministering to people and their families that are dealing with sanctity of life issues.  This pastoral support includes education, spiritual support, and assistance with locating services when these challenges are being faced, including. but not limited to helping men and women facing unplanned pregnancies, ministering to men and women who are dealing with the trauma of choosing abortion, and supporting individuals and their families who are facing end of life issues and decisions.  Volunteers in this ministry are needed to coordinate education and distribute information regarding respect life issue in each Church parish, to coordinate prayer groups to pray for women and their children who are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and to assist with coordinating efforts to support the crisis pregnancy centers in our diocese.