Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Respect Life Program
The U.S. Catholic Bishops instituted the Respect Life Program in 1972 to focus attention on the breakdown of moral, social, and civil structures supporting human life in America. In 1975, the bishops adopted a Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities which urges the activation of the pastoral resources of the Church in four specific areas: Spiritual, Education/Public Information, Pastoral Care, and Legislative/Public Policy.
What's New
2011-2012 Respect Life Program Materials
The 2011-2012 USCCB Respect Life Program materials are available online. "I came that all might have life, and have it to the full!" is the theme for the 2011-2012 Respect Life Program. These materials contain articles on timely topics in the cause for protecting human life and dignity. The materials also include prayers and liturgy resources. To view the materials online, click here.
To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Vatican releases instruction on bioethical questions - Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of the Human Person)
Urge Congress to Support Health Care that Respects Life
Issues
Abortion
Post Abortion and Reconciliation and Healing
Infanticide
Bioethics and Reproductive Technologies
Human Cloning
Stem Cell Research
Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide
Death Penalty
Vaccines
Church Teaching Documents
Teaching Documents
Diocesan Respect Life Office
The diocesan Respect Life Office serves to implement components of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Respect Life Program. The office researches, identifies, and analyzes life issues within the context of Catholic social teaching to determine the impact of issues and to formulate an effective response. The office also serves to initiate and develop programs that assist parishes, schools, and organizations in identifying their own respect life needs and aids to formulate an effective response. The Respect Life Office provides education, information, leadership training, and community building opportunities for parish leaders.
Respect Life Program Implementation
The diocesan Respect Life Office serves as a liaison to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-life Activities.
The Respect Life Office:
- Promotes efforts during Respect Life Month (October). Respect Life Sunday is the 1st Sunday of October;
- Sponsors The Catholic Times Respect Life Supplement during Respect Life Month;
- Works with parish Respect Life Coordinators;
- Sponsors a Mass near January 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion in the United States;
- Sponsors a Respect Life Art/Essay Contest;
- Conducts an annual Diocesan Respect Life Conference.
Senior Citizen Programs
The office works to celebrate the contributions of Senior Citizens in the life of the Church. It serves as a resource and advocates for senior citizen issues. It provides support for parish senior citizen clubs.
The Respect Life Office also:
- Sponsors an annual Diocesan Senior Citizens' Day Celebration during the month of May, which is Older Americans Month. The bishop acts as celebrant for the Mass. A luncheon follows.
- Publishes Sage Pages, a bi-monthly newsletter.
Blessings of Age: A Pastoral Message on Growing Older Within the Faith Community is a recent statement by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The U.S. bishops invite older persons, their families, and their faith communities to develop new initiatives that encourage the participation of older persons in society and in the Church.
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