Respect Life Apostolate

 elderly woman and infant, Our Lady of Guadalupe, young man

The Respect Life Apostolate (RLA) promotes the Catholic Church’s teachings on respect for and legal protection of every human life from inception to natural death by coordinating educational, spiritual, pastoral, and public policy advocacy efforts with particular focus on those issues in the culture that threaten life - abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and unethical advances in scientific technology.

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Snapshot of Abortion

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court justices evaded the scientific medical evidence that life begins at conception.  Their decision in legalizing abortion on demand, Roe v. Wade, was based on privacy, for a woman to choose to abort her unborn offspring with no real protection at any time during pregnancy.  The right to abortion was not found in our Constitution; and the right to privacy was an interpretation by seven justices, making legalized abortion the law of the land.  Representatives in Congress and their constituents had no input into this infamous decision of legalized abortion, and this decision is void of Christian principles.

Minors cannot legally sign for an operation without the written consent of their parent or guardian.  However, a young girl under the age of 18 may legally have an abortion, which is a surgical procedure. (1974, Belloti v. Baird.)

Scripture References On Abortion

By Fr. Frank A. Pavone, Priests for Life

See also the Priests for Life brochure on the Bible's Teaching on Abortion

Why Scripture Says NO to Abortion: [RealAudio] or [MP3 Format part 1Listen or Download and part 2Listen or Download]

Retreat on Scriptural Perspectives on the Pro-life Movement

We have included a number of Scripture references to assist the priest or deacon to show the congregation how God's Word challenges us to promote the sanctity of life and to end abortion. The teaching of Scripture clearly shows that the destruction of innocent life in the womb is contrary to God's law, to God's very nature, and to the Christian life. This can be highlighted by focusing on various themes, which the suggested readings touch upon.

Snapshot of End of Life Issues

Euthanasia from the Greek words meaning “good death” – an action or omission intended to cause death. Euthanasia is not legal in the United States.

Physician Assisted Suicide (PhAS) a physician prescribes lethal drugs for a patient with the knowledge that the patient intends to use the drugs to commit suicide. Physician assisted suicide is legal in Oregon and Washington.

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