Catholic Respect Life Network

The following organizations and committees within the Catholic Church are dedicated to carrying out the respect life mission according to the teachings of the Church and Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Campaign in Support of Life of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops & The Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) enables the bishops to exchange ideas and information, deliberate on the Church’s broad concerns, and respond as a body.  The USCCB focuses on internal concerns of the Church supported by a number of administrative staff offices.  The office of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities promotes programs to teach respect for all human life from conception to natural death, and organize for its protection. To serve this goal it:

• Develops educational material and campaigns on pro-life issues
• Organizes the Respect Life Program that begins on the first Sunday of each October
• Publishes Life Issues Forum, a biweekly column for Catholic newspapers
• Publishes three newsletters: Life Insight, Life at Risk, NFP Forum
• Encourages and enables programs to meet the needs of pregnant women, children, disabled persons, those who are sick or dying, and all who have been involved in abortion
• Provides dioceses with pro-life liturgical suggestions including monthly bulletin blurbs and intercessory prayers, homily notes in January and October
• Coordinates/advises on public policy efforts concerning these issuesAssists dioceses to implement major pro-life and NFP programs

National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA)

In the great civil rights struggle to secure the right to life for all, Archbishop John Roach, testifying on behalf of the Catholic Bishops, expressed the guiding vision:

"We are committed to full legal recognition of the right to life of the unborn child, and will not rest in our efforts until society respects the inherent worth and dignity of every member of the human race." - November 5, 1981 Statement before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution

The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment is dedicated to pursuing this vision. The organization's objectives include educating citizens, developing pro-life legislative networks, and offering programs in support of pro-life legislation. Among its various activities, NCHLA produces educational and program resources, communicates with leaders about legislative priorities, and presents legislative seminars throughout the year. In a special way, NCHLA assists dioceses, state Catholic conferences, and Catholic lay groups. The Committee also works closely with the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Missouri Catholic Conference

The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) is the public policy agency for the four Catholic dioceses in Missouri.  It was formed in 1967 to address issues of a statewide nature.  From its office in Jefferson City, the MCC works to address questions of health, education and social welfare on the state level. With input from priests, religious and laity, the Conference challenges state legislative, executive and judicial branches to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of their actions.  Network members receive timely information on legislation, are kept informed about the latest developments on bills, learn legislative skills such as writing to state officials, and are offered workshops in Jefferson City to be more effective when visiting legislators.

Respect Life Apostolate (RLA)

The Respect Life Apostolate is an archdiocesan agency that promotes the Catholic Church’s teachings on respect for and legal protection of every human life from inception to natural death. In keeping with the USCCB's Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, the RLA coordinates 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.

Policy & purpose

As the official pro-life committee of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Respect Life Apostolate provides leadership for all pro-life activities within the Catholic community.  All activities are consistent with Catholic doctrine and performed in unity with legitimate Church authority; e.g., the Parish, Archdiocese, United States Catholic Conference, and Vatican.

The Respect Life Apostolate supports nonviolent efforts to save the lives of unborn children and expects members of its network to work in a manner consistent with the RLA's goals and policies. 

The primary purpose of the Respect Life Apostolate is to coordinate activities within the Archdiocese that implement the Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities.  The RLA operates under the direction of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  It receives guidance and information from the Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life activities as well as the Archbishop of St. Louis and seeks advice and assistance from the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment. 

Parish Respect Life Committees & Coordinators

The general purpose of the parish Respect Life Committee and the coordinators is to offer programs and experiences with the parish which raise the awareness of life issues, educate about life-affirming choices, and recruit volunteers to help meet those needs. 

High School Respect Life Club Organizations & Moderators

As it is the mission of Catholic high schools to offer, share and teach the faith with young people, so too should the high school respect life organizations teach the message of Jesus Christ to “Go make disciples of all nations.”