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WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – As U.S. Catholics begin their annual October observance of Respect Life Month, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston has announced this year's theme, “Open your hearts to life!”   The cardinal called on the Catholic faithful to “overcome a culture of death and to build a civilization of love” by serving the needs of others, regardless of personal cost.

In a statement released in advance of Respect Life Sunday, observed October 6, O’Malley, who is the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said that although sins against human life are rampant in today’s society, Catholics should not despair or withdraw from the culture.  On the contrary, said the cardinal, those who follow Christ must “engage others and share the truth about human life.”

“We live in a society of unbelief,” O’Malley wrote, “where the unborn, the sick, and the elderly are often unwanted and endangered by acts of violence or neglect.” 

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The cardinal lamented the loss of 55 million human lives in the U.S. to legalized abortion after Roe v. Wade. He also criticized laws permitting physician-assisted suicide in three states, which he said “allow … doctors to help end patients' lives rather than provide much-needed comfort in times of pain and distress” and “pave the way for euthanasia by undermining true respect and care for people with serious illness.”

But even in the face of such challenges, O’Malley wrote, Catholics must not give up hope.  Instead, he urged them to heed the words of Pope Francis, who “reminds us that we always have hope in Christ.”

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“What does it mean to open our hearts to life?” asked O’Malley.  “It means to search our souls and acknowledge our deepest longing for Christ's love.  Though we are capable of sins against human life such as abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, we are not beyond Christ's mercy.  It is important for us to know and share with others that Christ's forgiveness is offered even to those who have taken another person's life, if they are truly repentant of that act.”

O’Malley reminded Catholics to be merciful and compassionate as they spread the pro-life message, and highlighted the importance of living, not just preaching pro-life values.  “We must give witness to the Gospel of Life and evangelize through our lives,” the cardinal wrote.  “We must personally engage others and share the truth about human life.  We must continue to show love and mercy, especially with those who have been involved in abortion. All members of the Church can bring healing to the world by upholding the beauty of human life and God's unfailing mercy.”

O’Malley added, “Only a tender, compassionate love that seeks to serve those most in need, whatever the personal cost, is strong enough to overcome a culture of death and to build a civilization of love.” 

The cardinal called on the faithful to prayerfully consider how God might be calling them to assist in pro-life efforts, and made a few suggestions of his own.

“We may be called to help parents welcome their unborn child as a miracle of God's creation,” O’Malley wrote, “to visit the elderly or aid those who are sick and suffering, to pray and fast for life, to advocate to our elected officials, or to assist educational efforts in our parishes.”

 To read Cardinal O’Malley’s statement in its entirety, click here.