Promoting Human Life

We promote God's priceless gift of human life with gratitude," says Allison LeDoux, director of the Diocesan Respect Life Office. Formed decades ago, in response to the Supreme Court's catastrophic Roe v. Wade decision, the Office, which is completely funded by the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal, advocates for the protection of all human life, born and unborn. Its programs combine education, prayer, and service.

Among many other initiatives Allison's office coordinates the journey of hundreds of young and old from the Diocese of Worcester to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., each January.

Local Pro-Life advocacy received a great boost recently. Responding to Pope Benedict XVI's request that Catholics throughout the world gather in prayer on the First Sunday of Advent, parish groups from the Diocese packed St. Paul's Cathedral. There they heard Bishop McManus speak eloquently on the defense of human life:

"In taking on human flesh in the virginal womb of Mary of Nazareth, the Word of God made flesh has restored humanity to friendship with God and through this paschal mystery, has given the gift of human life an inestimable value that no one, no government, no legislature, no judicial court can rightly and justly take away."

He continued, "The Roman Catholic Church in the United States has worked fervently to bring before the collective conscience of the American people an awareness of the sanctity and value of unborn human life. The truth about the value and sanctity of unborn human life derives from the reality of the natural moral law that demands that good is to be done and evil to be avoided."

Our Diocese was honored recently to welcome Cardinal Justin F. Rigali of Philadelphia. Speaking at an event in support of Visitation House, a local home for pregnant women in crisis, he said, "Unborn children remain the persons whose lives are most at risk in America."

"But," he adds, "there are other grave concerns: embryonic stem cell research, the denial of health care to undocumented persons living here, the rights of the elderly, and physician-assisted suicide."

"Children, and those who are dependent on us due to disability or age, offer us the opportunity to grow in patience, kindness and love. They teach us that life is a shared gift," he said.

Long an advocate of the dignity of all human life, of course, the cardinal listens with great attention to the words of Pope Benedict, who says succinctly, "Every child brings us God's smile."

Your pledged gift to the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal keeps our defense of life burning strong. Thank you for your goodness. Please be generous this year. Make a donation online.