320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-547-5537
Email
Archdiocesan Respect Life Committee
Our Catholic Faith teaches us to see Christ in everyone, even the least of our brothers and sisters. Therefore as Catholics we respect and protect human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. The mission of the Archdiocesan Respect Life Committee is to assist parishes, Catholic elementary and high schools, pro-life organizations and institutions and individuals in their efforts to foster reverence for all human life.
The activities of the committee include speakers who devote many hours addressing seventh and eighth grade students at Catholic Elementary schools as well as Catholic High Schools about the meaning and purpose of human sexuality, and the devastating effects of abortion, euthanasia and other assaults on human dignity.
The Committee actively encourages and supports many Archdiocesan Parish programs that bring to parishioners a better understanding and awareness of the dignity of human life and the dangers of the "Culture of Death." One such program is Spiritual Adoption, which utilizes a series of posters (Little One Sweet) to educate Catholics about the development of the baby in the womb. The poster series was designed by Committee member in the summer of 2001 for use in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, but has also received much national and even international recognition.
The Committee also acts to assist the Maryland Catholic Conference as well as the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment in educating Catholics in the Archdiocese on legislative issues. Information obtained from the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops is also forwarded to all Parishes. Secondarily, it is with a sense of civic responsibility that the Committee also makes its expertise and resources available to the community at large.
The Respect Life Committee reports to His Excellency, Most Reverend Edwin F. O'Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore. The Committee meets once a month on the first Tuesday at 7:30 P.M. Currently the meetings take place at the Parish Center of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.
The Archdiocesan Respect life Committee comprises physicians, attorneys, educators, legislative advocates, pregnancy center professional and volunteer workers, clergy and laity who advance the principle that human life is sacred because both the origin and destiny of human life are from God.
Members of the Committee: Marie-Alberte Boursiquot, MD, Linda M. Brenegan, Louis C. Breschi, MD, Lydia D. Carroll, Denise Douglas, R.N., John T. Enoch, Esq., Rev. James P. Farmer, Esq., Nancy F. Paltell, Ph.D. (Chair), Sylvia P. Harris, J. Paul Melanson (Chairman Emeritus), Deacon Richard W. Montalto, Maureen Stansell, John J. Sweeney, Esq. and Sheila Wharam.
Other Information
- Calendar of Pro-Life Activities for Youth
