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Topic: Respecting Life

Why this work matters: human dignity and the road ahead
March 9, 2010 - Archbishop Chaput delivered the following remarks to the group Cleveland Right to Life. (read full text)

Archbishop addresses Phoenix Catholic Physicians' Guild
Oct. 16, 2009 - Archbishop Chaput addressed the Phoenix Catholic Physicians' Guild on Friday night. His remarks nominated medical professionals as key figures in the fight for a culture of life, making special note of the plight of children with disabilities, and the families who love and support them. (read more).

Archbishop Chaput, Bishop Conley release statment on George Tiller murder
June 1, 2009 - The nation reacts to the murder of late-term abortion-provider George Tiller...(read more)

Let's end the death penalty, now
March 11, 2009 - Capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion and war:  All these issues raise profound questions for Catholics as we reflect on the sanctity of human life. (Read more)

"Building and promoting a Culture of Life: an American view"
Human Life International, Ireland
Feb. 8, 2009 - Archbishop Chaput offers the Irish pro-life movement a list of "dos" and "don'ts," developed in response to the American pro-life movement. He offers these pastoral guidelines to anyone before strategizing future action towards protection of the unborn.

"Render unto Caesar: personal faith and public duty"
John Paul II Society, Ireland
Feb. 7, 2009 - Archbishop Chaput brings his message of informed Catholic Christian conscience, and its importance within political and public arena, to the Catholic community of Ireland.

Thoughts on a 'new beginning,' and an old truth
January 28, 2009
Denver Catholic Register

Let your voice supporting life be heard
January 21, 2009
Denver Catholic Register

Statement on President-elect Obama
Nov. 5, 2008 - Archbishop Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Conley offer their prayers and congratulations to the newly elected President of the United States, while also asking for sincere dedication to the defense and protection of life at all stages.

Two ways to invest in human dignity this month
October 15, 2008
Denver Catholic Register 

A clarification for people of the Church in northern Colorado on the personhood of the unborn child
Oct. 8, 2008 - In light of news reports of comments by Governor Bill Ritter on personhood, the Denver bishops released this clarification. In related news, the Colorado Bishops’ released a statement on June 5, 2008 regarding Amendment 48, known as the “Personhood Amendment.” Visit the Colorado Catholic Conference's Web site to read the June 5 statement.

Respect Life Sunday and our calling to the 'Gospel of Life'
October 1, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

The Catholic charge: Reform laws to respect the sanctity of human life
September 24, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

"Public servants and moral reasoning: a notice to the Catholic community of northern Colorado"
Sept 8, 2008 (Archden.org) - Archbishop Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop James Conley released this letter in reaffirmation of the importance of informed moral reasoning when discerning public action, especially in regard to Catholics who serve their country on the national stage.

"On the separation of sense and state: a clarification for the people of the Church of northern Colorado"
Aug. 25, 2008 (Archden.org) - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and his auxiliary bishop, James D. Conley, address an online letter regarding the Catholic Church's constant teaching condemning abortion as always gravely evil.

On the courage to be Christian
August 20, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

40 years later: Pope’s concerns in ‘Humanae Vitae’ vindicated
July 16, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

Statement on construction of new Planned Parenthood center
November 8, 2007

Now is the time to reflect on what it means to be ‘Catholic’ and our decision-making as citizens
October 10, 2007
Denver Catholic Register

Statement on President Bush's veto of embryonic stem cell research bill
June 20, 2007

We need to end the death penalty now
Arguments to end the death penalty 10 years ago are even stronger today
February 14, 2007
Denver Catholic Register

Colorado bishops issue a joint statement on proposed emergency contraception legislation
February 1, 2007
Archbishop Chaput, together with Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Bishop Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo, issued a statement outlining their position on Colorado Senate Bill 07-060, which, if passed, would require hospitals to give rape victims information on emergency contraception.

What does the Church teach on the death penalty?
October 19, 2005
Denver Catholic Register

"Justice, mercy and capital punishment"
Fall 2005 Respect Life Program
USCCB's Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities

Archbishop's Award Comments
April 20, 2005
National Right to Life Educational Trust Dinner
Archbishop reflects on the respect life messages of both Pope John Paul II and the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI

Responding to media coverage of Terri Schiavo case
March 22, 2005
"The bishops and lay faithful of Florida have the task of leading American Catholics in the Terri Schiavo case . . . Our job, outside Florida, is to support Ms. Schiavo and all those concerned for her well-being with our prayers…"

Supreme Court ruling on death penalty encouraging; now let's do more
March 9, 2005
Denver Catholic Register

Emergency contraception: What the words mean
March 2, 2005
Denver Catholic Register

April 7 seminar: a vital guide to human dignity
March 16, 2005
Denver Catholic Register

Embryonic stem cell research and human dignity:
Complex science, simple ethics'
October 20, 2004
Denver Catholic Register

What we can do isn't always what we should do
Embryonic stem cell research: The end never justifies the means
July 7, 2004
Denver Catholic Register

Thinning the ranks in a town called Death Row
Death penalty a sign of nation's divided heart about sanctity of human life
June 30, 2004
Denver Catholic Register

California ruling a wake-up call to Catholics to examine faith, ministries
Faithful and Church's ministries must be genuinely Catholic
March 20, 2004
Denver Catholic Register

Signing of partial-birth abortion ban a moment for gratitude, prayer
New law affirms pro-life efforts to restore protection for sanctity of life
November 5, 2003
Denver Catholic Register

Partial-birth abortion
November 5, 2003
Archbishop Chaput comments on President George W. Bush's signing of the "Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion" into law

“‘Humanae Vitae:’ the first 35 Years”
July 26, 2003
Archdiocesan Conference: “Humanae Vitae 35 Years Later”

Capital Punishment
Murderers can be punished, public safety secured without death penalty
January 22, 2003
Denver Catholic Register

Roe v. Wade: An American Tragedy
Death, wounding of millions the legacy of legalized abortion on demand
January 15, 2003
Denver Catholic Register

Freedom of conscience in health care
Candidates' stand on 'Abortion Non-discrimination Act' good measure for Catholic voters
October 23, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Right to life the foundation on which all other rights rest
October 9, 2002
Official Statement, reprinted in Denver Catholic Register
As the 2002 presidential elections drew near, Denver's bishops released their annual statement regarding efforts in the church to respect the sanctity of life in all forms.

Right to life is foundation of other rights
Catholics have obligation to demand public officials defend weak, vulnerable
August 7, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

It's a good time for Coloradans to put all executions on hold
July 10, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Death penalty: a joint statement by Denver bishops
July 9, 2002
In response to heightened political discussion about the death penalty, Denver's bishops released the following statement to the public. In it, they encourage a renewed understanding of justice moderated by an unshakeable respect for for the sanctity of life. NOTE: For an extended version of this statement, please read the July 10, 2002 issue of the Denver Catholic Register.

God's command: Choose life!
Roe v. Wade undermined moral vocabulary; paved way for mounting attacks on human life.
January 16, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Respect Life Sunday
October 3, 2001
Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, the Church led the annual observance of Respect Life Sunday. Denver's bishops released the following statement to the public, encouraging them to prayerfully reflect upon the value of every human life.

Embryonic stem cell research
August 10, 2001
Archbishop Chaput comments on President George W. Bush's decision to allow funding for limited embryonic stem cell research

American culture and the sanctity of human life:
Pro-lifers must help culture regain ability to reason, remember and hope
July 26, 2001
USCCB Pro-life Secretariat Meeting

Embryonic stem-cell research immoral
The end does not justify the means
July 25, 2001
Denver Catholic Register

What we mean by the 'sanctity of life'
Catholic teaching on human dignity includes ending capital punishment
May 16, 2001
Denver Catholic Register

Capital Punishment: killing the guilty is wrong
Only true road to justice passes through mercy
April 25, 2001
Denver Catholic Register

Modern sins of pride:
Ethics must guide scientific advances
February 9, 2001
Homily, Mass during 2001 Legatus Convention
Naples, Florida
"Christians are called to speak out against the misuse of creation. The lie of the serpent is with us in the promises of cloning..."

A lifetime commitment
Defending life of unborn requires courageous pro-life witness.
January 20, 2001
Colorado Right to Life March and Rally
Colorado State Capitol

Defend life
January 20-21, 2001
28th anniversary weekend of Roe v. Wade
This letter was read at all Masses occurring over the weekend commemorating the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Archbishop Chaput encourages the faithful to live the "Gospel of Life" in their own families, and defend life in all its stages.

Who will speak out for the helpless?
January 17, 2001
Denver Catholic Register

A Culture of Life from a Culture of Truth
October 27, 2000
Bishops Pastoral Plan for Pro life Activities: Convention 2000
Lincoln, NE

Restore the sanctity of human life
June 28, 2000
reprinted in the Denver Catholic Register, July 5, 2000 
On June 28, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Nebraska ban on partial birth abortion. Archbishop Chaput spoke out strongly against the ruling in the following statement released to the public.

U.S. Supreme Court legalizes partial-birth abortion
June 28, 2000
"Today the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision struck down the Nebraska Partial-Birth Abortion ban, thus legalizing the dismemberment of partially delivered babies…"

Choosing life
April 19, 2000
The Holy Week of 2000 marked two difficult anniversaries: the 5-year anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombings and the 1-year anniversary of the infamous shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO. Archbishop Chaput joins Archbishop Eusebius Beltran of Oklahoma City in the following statement, reflecting both on the tragic sufferings felt during these times and on the need for the faithful to transform the culture one by one through a personal witness of love and respect for all human life.

Health Care: What I wanted to discuss with Senator Campbell
July 28, 1999
Denver Catholic Register

Roe v. Wade: In the calculus of public policy, what comes first
January 27, 1999
Denver Catholic Register

Alpha and Omega: reconciling science and faith
September 24, 1998
Fellowship of Catholic Scholars

Abortion: Catholic believers called to raise their voices for unborn children
January 20, 1998
Denver Catholic Register

Euthanasia: Life is God's gift, and He alone is its Lord
August 20, 1997
Denver Catholic Register

Death Penalty: The true road to justice
June 11, 1997
Denver Catholic Register