The Dignity and Sanctity of Life
Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action – A Pastoral Message of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
A message as timely today as it was when it was first published in 1994, the US Bishops speak out in this groundbreaking document against the culture of violence which can so pervade our society today, citing the inherent dignity present in all people as a basis for our beliefs in peace.
Click here for more information on Gun Violence & Catholic Social Teaching >
www.povertyusa.com
Listen to real stories about people living in poverty, learn the facts about poverty in the United States, understand the root causes, and—just as important—how people are helping themselves and others out of Poverty USA.
CRS Rice Bowl Campaign
Our Catholic community in the United States does something amazing each Lent. We come together to practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving—and by doing so we help lift families and communities out of poverty and put them on a path toward resilience, prosperity and stability. That’s the CRS Rice Bowl effect.
Life and Dignity of the Human Person – USCCB
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
USCCB Resources on Abortion
God loves each human life from the instant of his or her conception and entrusts this gift to the protection of a mother and father. Abortion ends the life of a child and offends God. It also deeply wounds the men and women involved.
Check out the USCCB page on Abortion issues for a wealth of resources and documents.
Respect Life Program: Be Not Afraid
October 2017 – September 2018
The Respect Life Program is a special initiative of the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities beginning with “Respect Life” month in October of 2017. Watch the special USCCB webpage for the event for many resources and materials to celebrate the respect for all life in 2018!
March for Life – January 19, 2018
The mission of the March for Life is to provide all Americans with a place to testify to the beauty of life and the dignity of each human person. Both in January, on the anniversary of legalized abortion in the US, and throughout the year we bring together pro-life leaders and groups to organize, unite and strategize around a common message, and to communicate this message to the government, the media and the nation in a way that is powerful and life affirming.
Project Rachel
Project Rachel, the Catholic Church’s ministry to those who have been involved in abortion, is a diocesan-based network of specially trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. In addition to referring for Sacramental Reconciliation, the ministry provides an integrated network of services, including pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats and referrals to licensed mental health professionals.
Become a Shepherd Program
The “Become a Shepherd” program is the overarching USCCB umbrella idea which covers all the many efforts to stop human trafficking and exploitation.
How I wish that all of us would hear God’s cry: ‘Where is your brother?’ (Gen. 4:9). Where is your brother or sister who is enslaved? Where is the brother and sister whom you are killing each day in clandestine warehouses, in rings of prostitution, in children used for begging, in exploiting undocumented labor? Let us not look the other way.” – Pope Francis, Evangelli Gaudium
