Respect for the Dignity and Right to Life of Human Life

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Adoption: Second Choice, Not Second Best
by Claire Boeck

"Those who are not called to adoption are probably skeptical of this and think that I only feel that way because I don’t have the experience of biological parenthood to compare to. But I’ve spoken to enough people who have experienced parenthood via biology as well as adoption to know that for those called to adoption, the love that adoptive mothers feel for their children is just as strong as the love that mothers have for their biological children. For me, adoption was my second choice, but definitely not second best. It doesn’t get much more miraculous than that..." read more

Article posted on Catholic Exchange (catholicexchange.com) on November 27, 2009

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Building and promoting a culture of life: An American view
by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver

Archbishop Chaput's address in Ireland to the Irish Chapter of Human Life International. He sets forth an approach to build a culture of life, including a very instructive list of "dos" and "don'ts"... read more

(presented February 8, 2009)

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Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church's Constant Teaching - Fact sheet Issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (No. 2271).

In response to those who say this teaching has changed or is of recent origin, here are the facts... read more

(issued August, 29, 2008)

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Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States.

"Opposition to abortion and euthanasia does not excuse indifference to those who suffer from poverty, violence and injustice. Any politics of human life must work to resist the violence of war and the scandal of capital punishment. Any politics of human dignity must seriously address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, housing, and health care. Therefore, Catholics should eagerly involve themselves as advocates for the weak and marginalized in all these areas. Catholic public officials are obliged to address each of these issues as they seek to build consistent policies which promote respect for the human person at all stages of life. But being 'right' in such matters can never excuse a wrong choice regarding direct attacks on innocent human life. Indeed, the failure to protect and defend life in its most vulnerable stages renders suspect any claims to the 'rightness' of positions in other matters affecting the poorest and least powerful of the human community. If we understand the human person as the "temple of the Holy Spirit" -- the living house of God -- then these latter issues fall logically into place as the crossbeams and walls of that house. All direct attacks on innocent human life, such as abortion and euthanasia, strike at the house's foundation." (emphasis in the original)... read more

(issued November, 1998)

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