Respect Life
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia is the head of two bodies devoted to the pro-life cause - the Pontifical Academy for Life, and the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Both are concerned with the "life issues," including abortion, contraception and euthanasia.
Pope Francis has identified five key elements for Catholic Pro Life/Respect for Life work affirming that "in theological study, a pastoral perspective and attention to the wounds of humanity should never be missing."
- Care for the dignity of the human person in different ages of existence.
- Reciprocal respect between the sexes and among the generations.
- Defense of the dignity of every single human being.
- Promotion of the quality of human life that integrates material and spiritual values.
- An "authentic human ecology," which can help restore "the original balance of creation between the human person and the entire universe.
This is an important signal about how Pope Francis wants the Church's pro-life activity to develop. The pontiff has stated that he wants the activity of Vatican offices dedicated to marriage, family and life issues to be "ever more clearly inscribed within the horizon of mercy."
