Respect Life

RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY

Papal Teaching

The inviolability of the person which is a reflection of the absolute inviolability of God, fínds its primary and fundamental expression in the inviolability of human life. Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights-for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination.

Pope John Paul II, Christifideles Laici (1988), no. 38

God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him;

male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you. – Jeremiah 1:5

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The Parish Respect Life Ministry was established in 1975 by the U.S. Catholic Bishops in their Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. This Plan was prepared following the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which "legalized" abortion on demand.

The California Catholic Conference of Bishops proclaims the right to life and the dignity of the human person are foundational to Catholic social teaching precisely because without it, no other rights have meaning.

Parish Respect Life committees are coordinated in Los Angeles by the Archdiocesan Office of Life, Justice and Peace and the respective Pastor.

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MISSION OF THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY TO ST. JEROME PARISH: To promote the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

The mission calls for:

-- evangelizing St. Jerome parishioners on Catholic teachings related to pro-life issues and needs;

-- promoting and assisting pregnancy counseling and support services, as well as post-abortion counseling services.

-- fostering public awareness of the needs for a constitutional amendment and other state and federal laws and policies to restore and maintain legal protection for unborn children, the elderly and other vulnerable members of society. Take action by joining the Catholic Legislative Network of The California Catholic Conference of Bishops.

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ENCYCLICAL LETTERS and REFERENCES IN CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH concerned with LIFE issues :

Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI, 7-25-1968

The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae), Pope John Paul II, 3-25-1995

Fifth Commandment - Catechism of the Catholic Church

Links to current LIFE issues:

Abortion Breast Cancer Coalition - http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/abc.html

Advanced Health Care Directive

After Abortion - http://afterabortion.org

American Life League - http://www.all.org/

American Physicians and Surgeons - http://www.aapsonline.org/

Natural Family Planning, California Association of - http://www.canfp.org