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Monday March 1, 2010


Pro-Life Group Calls on U.S. Bishops to Launch National Collection for Life

By John Jalsevac

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pope John Paul II once famously told a prominent pro-life leader that the work that he was doing was “the most important work on earth.” Other Church leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI, have echoed this sentiment.

However, pro-life leaders have long pointed out that the importance of the work of defending human life is not always matched by the level of funding that is devoted to it by philanthropists and even the Church itself.

But now one Catholic organization, Catholic Advocate, is calling on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to further recognize the importance of pro-life work by launching a National Collection for Life, to be held in January the weekend before the annual March for Life.

“Creating a National Collection for Life will allow American Catholics to tangibly demonstrate the importance of building a culture of life in our society,” said Catholic Advocate Vice President Matt Smith. “A consistent source of funds to national pro-life activities will open opportunities to promote the sanctity of life at all stages.”

The organization says that it is recommending that proceeds from the collection be used to support the programs of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.

“There are many positive pro-life activities occurring at the local level,” added Catholic Advocate President Deal Hudson. “Catholic Advocate believes a National Collection for Life would enhance the programs and goals of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities at a time when they are needed more than ever.”

Catholic Advocate made the request in writing to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (Galveston-Houston), Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Bishop Kevin Farrell (Dallas), Chairman of the Committee on National Collections.

In their letter Hudson and the other members of the Catholic Advocate leadership write, “National Collections supporting the poor and mission programs are important and effective when the funds are distributed appropriately to entities in agreement with the teachings of the Church. However, first among equals must be advancing the culture of life for without that gift there are no other issues to address.”

They conclude: “What better way to tangibly show the priority the Church places on advocating for life than with a collection to match the importance of the issue in our society?”

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