About Us

Our Role and Model

The Life & Justice Office has three key roles:

1. Support Parish Life & Justice (Respect Life and Human Rights) ministries): Life & Justice programs designed and developed at the diocesan level are made available to local parishes, schools and Catholic organizations which in turn customize the programs to meet the particular needs of their respective communities. The success of each program is ensured through the faithful efforts of pastors, teachers, parents, youth, and parish volunteers.

2. Provide guidance and resources: Issues regarding dignity and life of the person affect everyone and the teachings of the Church, although always consistent, sometimes require clarification and confirmation. Personal or professional resources in the form of referrals or documentation can also be requested.

3. Host diocesan-level activities and events: Annual events such as workshops, pilgrimages, conferences and diocesan Masses are a great way to share in the fellowship and in the Life & Justice experiences of all our faithful.

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Every Life & Justice Office program, activity, and event must meet all three of the following criteria:
 

• Must directly defend  or preserve the sanctity and dignity of human life  

• Must have a Catholic identity or reflect a core tenet of the Catholic faith

• Must provide an opportunity for our faithful to give back using their God-given gifts of time, talent, and treasure.

A key step in developing all of our Life & Justice Office programs is identifying our stakeholders:

• All Life & Justice Office programs, activities, and events must be as effective as possible and must meet the needs of everyone who relies on us for education, pastoral care, prayer and worship, and public policy advocacy. 

• There will always be important requests for critical assistance or for needed activities that do not necessarily meet the criteria above; therefore, these will be referred to the most appropriate Chancery office, community partner or local parish.

• There will be some requests for assistance or activities that may meet all of the criteria above, but for any number of reasons the Life & Justice Office is either not the most appropriate Catholic organization to address the need or another organization is already serving the need.  The Life & Justice Office will actively work to ensure the need is met in the most effective and most efficient manner.

• The Life & Justice Office is truly blessed to be able to focus on so many important and worthwhile activities but there will be times when we are unable to meet every valid request due to either current priorities or a lack of expertise in a specific area.  By always working to provide "opportunities for our faithful to give back using their God-given gifts of time, talent, and treasure", we can also ensure all valid requests receive the same level of attention by asking the right volunteers to assist us if and when necessary.