"Life is always good. This is an instinctive perception and a fact of experience, and man is called to grasp the profound reason why this is so.


Why is life good? This question is found everywhere in the Bible and from the very first pages it receives a powerful and amazing answer. The life which God gives man is quite different from the life of all other living creatures, inasmuch as man, although formed from the dust of the earth is a manifestation of God in the would, a sign of his presence, a trace of his glory." (cf Gen 2:7,3:19;Job 34:15 Ps 103;14; 104;29) (The Gospel of Life,34)

"The sacredness of life gives rise to its inviolability, written from the beginning in man's heart, in his conscience. The question; "What have you done?" (Gen. 4;10), which God addresses to Cain after he has killed his brother Abel, interprets the experience of every person; in the depth of his conscience, man is always reminded of the inviolability of life-his own life and that of others-as something which does not belong to him, because it is the property and gift of God the Creator and Father." (Gospel of Life, 40)

"Thus the deepest element of God's commandment to protect human life is the requirement to show reverence and love for every person and the life of every person. This is the teaching which the Apostle Paul, echoing the words of Jesus, addresses to the Christians in Rome. It is summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Rom. 13;9-10) Gospel of Life 41)

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you" (Jer. 1;5) The life of every individual, from its very beginning, is part of God's plan. Job, from the depth of his pain, stops to contemplate the work of God who miraculously formed his body in his mother's womb. Here he finds reason for trust, and he expresses his belief that there is a divine plan for his life (Job 10;8-12….Expressions of awe and wonder at God's intervention in the life of a child in its mother's womb occur again and again in the Psalms. How can anyone think that even a single moment of this marvelous process of the unfolding of life could be separated from the wise and loving work of the Creator, and left prey to human caprice?" (Gospel of Life 44)



"Old age is characterized by dignity and surrounded with reverence (cf 2 Mac. 6;33) The just man does not seek to be delivered from old age and its burden; on the contrary his prayer is this: "You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth…so even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, till I proclaim your might to all the generations to come (Ps 71:5, 18) (Gospel of Life, 46)

For more information please contact:
Michele Morin, Respect Life Coordinator, at mmorin@vermontcatholic.org
or call 802 658-6110, ext. 329

RESPECT LIFE

Read our Respect Life Bulletins (published bi-monthy).

Read About the Rally for Life Day in Montpelier as covered by the Barre Times Argus and Rutland Herald, January 28, 2007 - Page 1 & Page 2

In the spirit of Pope John Paul II document "Evangelium Vitae," the task of communicating the "Gospel of Life" is more urgent than ever in meeting the Catholic call for faith development, building strong families, and political responsibility.

Respect Life Calendar of Events

The Office of Family Life / Respect Life:

  • Gives direction and support to parish Respect Life volunteers. The Bishop's Respect Life Phone Tree is maintained through this office, giving guidance and assistance to diocesan, deanery, and parish phone tree coordinators.
  • Communicates with and takes direction from the Office of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life activities and from the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.The Office evaluates and communicates new information to the Bishop's office and parish Respect-Life volunteers.
  • Provides educational materials on Respect Life issues, such as abortion, chastity education, AIDS, bio-medical ethics, end of life preparation, euthanasia, capital punishment, etc.
  • Is continuously engaged in campaigns to promote and advance social action programs. We regularly post issues of concern on site and ask you, our supporters, to act upon these concerns. See current issues.
  • Deals with concerns of general public who contact the office for help on any life issues; assists when possible and refers when appropriate.
  • Works with the Bishop and his Respect Life Advisory Commission.
  • Monitors legislation at the Statehouse and lobbies for the legal protection of human life.
  • Serves as diocesan liaison with other pro-life organizations in Vermont and assists with projects that are co-sponsored by these organization.
  • Meets regularly with Respect Life Directors of other dioceses, particularly those in New York and around New England.

For more information please contact:
Michele Morin, Respect Life Coordinator, at mmorin@vermontcatholic.org
or call 802 658-6110, ext. 329

 

Videos Available:

On Abortion Education:

  • Abortion Malpractice: Will I have to be a victim for the rest of my life?
  • After Abortion: Rachel's Story
  • Bridging the Tears
  • Champions for Life
  • How to Help After an Abortion
  • Journey: I survived Abortion
  • Life: Our First Inaliable Right: the Lost Children
  • The Right Choice
  • Tomorrow We March

Chastity Education:

  • Affirming Adolescent Abstinance
  • Contraception, Why Not?
  • Face to Face With Teens
  • The Great Chastity Experiment
  • Second Thoughts
  • Teens & Chastity Part I
  • Teens & Chastity Part II
  • Teens and Sex: Deciding for Your Life

Respect Life:

  • Contraception, Why Not?
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Life Before Birth: The Wonder of Life in the Womb
  • Love Shouldn't Hurt; A Call to Action Against Domestic Violence
  • Natural Family Planning; An Alternative for You
  • Natural Family Planning; A Decision for Love and Life

On Aging and Euthanasia

  • Aging Parents
  • Almost Home, Living With Suffering and Dying
  • Right to Life Conv. : Euthansia - Fr. SmithOn Sexuality:

Communicating Christian Sexuality to Children

  • In God's Image: Male and Female
  • Living Proof: Pro-Life-Sexuality Education
  • God Don't Make Junk

Web sites:


Additional links:

Top


Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington