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Events for Respect Life month aspire to inform, motivate
Gospel of Life Conference to feature Catholic Church's top advocate on Capitol Hill
By Julie Filby
October is Respect Life month as designated by the U.S. bishops. Throughout the month Catholics will call attention to human life issues at liturgies, prayers vigils, and other special events such as conferences and lectures.
“The mission of Respect Life month is to make life issues as visible as we can, in as many ways as possible, to ‘the people in the pews,’” said Mimi Eckstein, director of the Respect Life Office for the Denver Archdiocese.
Life issues addressed by the Church today include abortion, human sexuality, infertility procedures, cloning, stem-cell research, euthanasia and the death penalty.
“The reality (of attacks on life issues) is tough. We need to be reminded of tough things, and jar our conscience,” Eckstein said. “Bringing forth these issues makes people become more aware, and they can become more involved.”
Events sponsored by the Denver Archdiocese will include the annual Gospel of Life conference on Oct. 2, the annual Respect Life Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 30 (formerly celebrated in January on the Roe v. Wade anniversary), a pro-life prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood on Oct. 30, and a Nov. 11 lecture by Robert George, author of the Manhattan Declaration, which 140 Christian leaders signed last November pledging to protect the sanctity of life.
The theme of this year’s Gospel of Life Conference is “Courage and Conscience: The Urgency of a Pro-Life Witness in Changing the World” (click here to download event flyer). Eckstein explained the theme was selected to be a strong and meaningful message to Catholics in a midterm election year.
“It’s a good time for people to hear the pro-life perspective on issues before going to the voting booth,” she said. “Courage is needed to be pro-life—it’s a constant prayer to be courageous because you have to speak up when you don’t really want to, and when it’s difficult.”
Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will deliver two keynote addresses: “Where are we today in the social arena on the life issues? What are the victories and what are the ongoing battles” and “A look at health-care reform and Catholic values: abortion, conscience clause and immigration.”
“Richard is the most knowledgeable person in the country (on life issues),” said Eckstein. “Everything flows through him, nationally, so he offers invaluable insight.”
New this year, the conference will offer breakout sessions, in addition to the keynote talks. Breakout sessions will be conducted in English and Spanish. Session topics will address pertinent legislation, morality and conscience, and relativism. Breakouts are designed to be interactive and encourage dialogue and questions in a smaller group setting.
Speakers include:
- Father Jorge Rodriguez, vice rector and professor of sacred theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, presenting in English and Spanish, "Christian Parresia ["boldness'] for Today's World"
- Christian Brugger, associate professor of moral theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, presenting "Does morality exist? Conscience and the problem of relativism"
- Jennifer Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, presenting "Fighting the good fight: helping Catholics make their voices heard in the public square"
- Sean Dalton, regional west director of Fellowship of Catholic University Students, presenting "Jesus the Divine Teacher: Relativism contrasted with the Truth." (this presentation will be translated on-site)
- Luis Soto, director of Hispanic ministry for the archdiocese, presenting in Spanish "La Voz de los Católicos en la Sociedad"
The conference will open at 8 a.m. with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., at Christ the King Chapel at the John Paul II Center, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver. Mass will be followed by breakfast, and opening remarks by Archbishop Chaput. Keynotes and workshops will be held in nearby Bonfils Hall. A registration fee of $20 includes breakfast, lunch and materials.
To register, contact the Respect Life Office at 303-715-3205 or e-mail RespectLife.Office@archden.org by Sept. 28. Everyone is invited and walk-ins are welcome.
Additional Upcoming Respect Life Month Events:
Pro-life Prayer Vigil
When: 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 30
Where: Planned Parenthood, 7155 E. 38th Ave., Denver
Led by: Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley
Respect Life Mass
When: 12 Noon, Saturday, Oct. 30
Where: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St., Denver
Celebrants: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap and Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley
Awards: Pro-Vitae (Pro Life) Award and Respect Life Essay Contest winners will be recognized
New this year: Ministries from the full spectrum of life issues, from conception to natural death, will be recognized
Lecture: "Political Obligations, Conscience and Human Life"
Presented by Robert George, Princeton professor and Manhattan Declaration author
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 11
Where: Bonfils Hall, JPII Center, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver
For more information, visit www.archden.org/events and scroll down to the "November 11" listing.
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