News

NAPLES, FL, April 4, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The ‘Lex Vitae’ or Law of Life Summit which took place at Ave Maria School of Law on the weekend, saw a flurry of activity including a personhood debate, talks from pro-life leaders, the Terri Schiavo Memorial Mass, a pro-life race for life, the closing ceremony for 40 Days for Life, and the second annual ‘vitae fest’ complete with a bounce house, dunk tank and pony rides.

Pro-life leaders who gathered for the summit at the Catholic law school on Friday stressed that unity in the pro-life movement requires humility from all those involved.  Discussion noted that the wide variety of initiatives in the pro-life movement can be a source of division if those involved in particular measures deem their activities all-important while belittling the different works of others. 

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The key, said several leaders present, is to be humble enough to respect that initiatives different from one’s own are nevertheless also geared to protecting life.  Should there be disagreement over tactics, apart from gravely harmful approaches, concerns should be passed along privately without public detraction.

The Law of Life Summit saw leaders represent many such initiatives, including personhood, legal strategies, fundraising, graphic images, political lobbying, voter registration, education, side-walk counseling, pro-life media, picketing, prayer vigils, anti-euthanasia efforts, and more.

Leaders present included:

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Bobby Schindler of Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network
Brad Mattes of Life Issues Institute
Fr. Denis Wilde of Priests for Life
Patrick Novecosky of Legatus
Lauren Muzyka of 40 Days for Life
Brother Paul of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace
John-Henry Westen of LifeSiteNews.com
and Ave Maria School of Law’s own Patrecia Ming of the Black Law Students Association

The pro-life leaders in attendance were unanimous in their praise for the Ave Maria School of Law students who organized the Summit and related events amidst their busy law school schedules.  The law school chaplain, Fr. Michael Orsi, emceed various events and was unabashed in acknowledging the hard work and talents of his students.

Organizers included:

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Royce Hood – 3rd year, chief organizer of the Law of Life Summit
William Sullivan – 3rd year, former President of Lex Vitae – the pro-life student org.
Michael Acquilano – 2nd year, President of Lex Vitae
Jose Melendez III – 2nd year, Lex Vitae National Pro-life Coordinator

Fun, games, good food and laughs rounded out the events.  The inaugural 5km ‘Race for Life’ which organizers hope will one day see success like the Komen Race for the Cure, had 21 participants with Ave Maria School of Law Professor Alex Vernon taking first place.