Social Justice, Family Life And Respect Life Leaders To Gather As "Partners In The New Evangelization"
WASHINGTON— This July, an historic convocation will gather family life, social justice, and respect life leaders together with physicians and ethicists to discuss new ways to promote human life and dignity. Entitled "Life, Justice & Family: Partners in the New Evangelization," the convocation will take up John Paul II’s call for creativity and deeper unity in crafting a "new evangelization—new in ardor, methods and expression." Open to the public, the three-day convocation begins on Friday, July 25, 2008, the fortieth anniversary of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on the openness of spouses to new life.
The first national gathering of its kind, the convocation will offer plenary sessions exploring human rights, the environment, bioethics, family life, and the relationship among science, technology and religion. The line-up of distinguished speakers includes:
- Bishop Joseph A. Galante of the Diocese of Camden on "Partners in Charity" offering ways to overcome polarization in building a culture of life
- Bishop William E. Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport on themes of authentic justice and love in Gaudium et Spes, Humanae Vitae, and Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Deus Caritas Est
- Mrs. Marie Smith, director of the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues on "The State of Human Rights in the World," with a focus on women’s rights
- Helen Alvaré, J.D., associate professor at George Mason University School of Law on "The Human Condition" exploring technology and the dignity of the human person
- John Brehany, Ph.D., S.T.L., executive director of the Catholic Medical Association on "Science and Religion in Mutual Service"
- Lester Ruppersberger, D.O., F.A.C.O.O.G., on "Scientific Advances in Fertility Management"
- Mark LeChevallier, Ph.D. and Roxana Barillas, M.P.P., of the USCCB’s Office of Domestic Social Development on "Toxins, the Environment and the Child in the Womb"
- Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., from the National Catholic Bioethics Center, on religion and science as "Partners in the Service of Life."
Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, will speak to the future of complementary roles in the New Evangelization, setting the stage for a final panel on which Mr. Anderson will be joined by bishop-representatives from USCCB committees and Kathleen M. Raviele, M.D., president of the Catholic Medical Association, to explore new avenues of cooperation among diverse ministries and programs within the Church.
Prayer will be integrated throughout the gathering. Masses will be celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Bishop Joseph Galante of Camden, and Rev. John Raphael, S.S.J., chair of the Josephite Committee on Life, Sexuality, Marriage and Family.
"Life, Justice & Family: Partners in the New Evangelization" is co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Diocese of Camden, and the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat, and will take place July 25-27, 2008, at the Crowne Plaza Cherry Hill in Camden, New Jersey. Through the cooperation of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits and Nursing Contact Hours are available at no additional cost.
All interested parties are welcome to register. The early registration rate ends on June 30. For more information, go to: www.usccb.org/prolife.