Pro-Life
About the Office of Pro-Life
Life Issues are the central social justice issues of our times. Pope Paul VI said, "If you want peace, work for Justice"; Pope John Paul II said, "If you want justice, defend life."
God the Lord of Life has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life and men must carry it out in a worthy manner. Catechism 2271
The Office of Pro-Life Activities follows the United States Bishop’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities – A Campaign in Support of Life. A consistent ethic of life reflects the Church's firm conviction of the dignity of each and every human life.
Varied Respect Life Groups may focus their energy on one particular aspect of life, however, all do so in the context of the Church's mission to uphold the dignity of life at all stages of life. The USCCB’s Pro-Life Theme for this 2011-12 is, “I came so that all might have life, and have it to the full!” (John 10:10). This year’s Respect Life Program takes us back to the basics, with eight pamphlets discussing the main attacks on human life and the inherent dignity of each person. You can find the program material here: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/.
News and Announcements
New Document: A Catholic Declaration on Life and Death
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge and the Office of Pro-Life are making available a resource on church teaching on end of life issues. Click here for a downloadable version of the booklet, Comfort and Compassion: A Catholic Declaration on Life and Death (PDF).
40 Days for Life
Bishop Burbidge will kick off the 40 Days for Life Campaign on Thursday, February 23, at 8:00 a.m. at Planned Parenthood, 1765 Dobbins Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. In addition to 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, please consider volunteering to peacefully pray outside of the clinic during the 40 days. www.40daysforlife.com/chapelhill or email 40dayschapelhill@gmail.com.
Retreat on Prayerful Presence at Abortion Clinics
Friday, March 2, 7:00-9:00 p.m. - You are invited to a life-changing spiritual retreat on March 2 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish. Msgr. Philip Reilly of the Archdiocese of New York will lead a beautiful and holy evening where we will learn how to change people’s hearts through prayer. Those who would like to participate more fully through mass and attendance at an abortion facility are invited to return on Saturday, March 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Download flyer for more information (PDF).
Imago Dei Training
A Train-the-Trainer workshop will be held on March 31 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Founder’s Room from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Imago Dei (A New Language). Mary Shivanandan, S.T.D., professor at the John Paul II institute for studies in marriage and the Family in Washington, DC, will present a four-season series on the Theology of the Body of Pope John Paul II, which makes up a new vision to understand marriage and sexuality. Over the course of six weekly meetings, participants in each season study the Holy Father’s teaching, prayerfully explore the lived experience of self-giving love, and consider relevant Scripture passages. This workshop is designed for people who will go forth and teach this new material in their own parishes. Download flyer (PDF)
For more information about the workshop, contact Jackie Bonk at Jackie.Bonk@raldioc.org.
Pro-Life Newsletter
Read our latest Pro-Life newsletter (PDF)
Mission Statement
The Office of Pro-Life is committed to proclaiming, celebrating and witnessing the sacred gift of human life. We are entrusted to the evangelical mission of education, formation and the invitation of the faithful to actively participate in the protection and the sanctity of all human life, from conception until natural death in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The scope of pro-life education and advocacy includes: abortion and post abortion healing, embryonic stem cell research, immigration, homelessness, hunger and poverty, euthanasia and the death penalty. We joyfully embrace the ethic of life as a continuum where the dignity of each human life is always irrespective of age, or condition.
Vision Statement
The Office of Pro-Life proclaims and affirms the life and dignity of every human person through prayer, education, outreach, and public policy in order to defend and inspire a culture of life.
Pro-Life Activities
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. The Office of Pro-Life in the Diocese of Raleigh recommends that parishes try to be involved in each of these four areas of the Pastoral Plan:
- 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, those suffering from injustices due to societal systems, those living in poverty, 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, to pray for the culture of life.
Contact
Office of Pro-Life
Jackie Bonk, Director
715 Nazareth St.
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: 919-645-4438
Email: jackie.bonk@raldioc.org
Mary Beth Phillips, Associate Director
715 Nazareth St.
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: 919-719-8267
Email: marybeth.phillips@raldioc.org