Respect Life
	In the Diocese of Richmond Respect Life Ministry is part of the work of the Office of Justice & Peace (OJP).  The sanctity of human life & dignity is at the foundation of Catholic social teaching.  OJP staff members are available to assist parishes, schools, campus ministries, and other Catholic institutions to promote human life & dignity from conception to natural death.

The U.S. Bishops' 2001 Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities calls upon the Church -- its people, services, and institutions -- to pursue the cause of human life & dignity in four major areas. Education to deepen understanding of the sanctity of human life and the humanity of unborn children, the moral evil of intentionally killing innocent human beings — whether at the beginning of life or at its end — and the mission of the Church to witness to and serve all human life. Pastoral Care for women with problems related to pregnancy; for all who have been involved in abortion; for those who are disabled, sick, and dying, and their families and caregivers; for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime; and for those in prison sentenced to death. Public Policy efforts directed to restoring legal protection to the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressures to end their lives by assisted suicide, and to providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide. Prayer and Worship directed to participation in the sacramental life of the Church and in programs of communal and individual prayer, that the culture of death that surrounds us today will be replaced by a culture of life and love.

 

The Office of Justice & Peace recommends that parishes try to be involved in each of these four areas of the Pastoral Plan:
Education USCCB Respect Life Program Resources Catechetical resources on the following issues: Abortion Death Penalty Disabilities U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities (2001) Church Documents & Statements USCCB Life Insight Newsletter	Public Policy Virginia Catholic Conference Political Activity Guidelines for Catholic Entities in Virginia - Virginia Catholic Conference Who Is My Legislator - Virginia General Assembly National Committee for a Human Life Amendment U.S. Bishops' 2007 Statement: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship - A Call to Political Responsibility USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities
Pastoral Care Pregnancy services offered by Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia Pregnancy services offered by Commonwealth Catholic Charities (central & southwestern Virginia) Adoption services offered by Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia Adoption services offered by Commonwealth Catholic Charities Project Rachel post-abortion counseling & reconciliation program Rachel's Vineyard post-abortion retreat ministry: Richmond area contact:  Molly Smith	Prayer & Worship USCCB Word of Life series - includes intercessions & bulletin quotes USCCB Respect Life Program Liturgy Guides USCCB Prayers for Pro-Life Liturgical and Para-Liturgical Services National Prayer Vigil for Life

 

Other OJP Resources Excerpt from diocesan parish social ministry manual on Respect Life Ministry Archive of back issues of newsletter on Respect Life themes: Disabilities & Social Justice (March 2008) Sexuality & Social Justice (January 2008) Respect Life & Social Justice (September 2007) Building the Culture of Life (January 2005) Capital Punishment (March 2004) Aging & the Dying Process (November 2003) Medical Research & Morality (June 2002) Post-Abortion Healing (December 2000)

Other OJP Web Links Abortion Post-Abortion Healing & Reconciliation Death Penalty Legislative Advocacy Natural Family Planning Pornography Respect Life

 

For information about the diocesan Respect Life program, contact OJP Director, Michael Stone, at (804) 622-5125 or mstone@richmonddiocese.org