Archdiocesan Respect Life Sunday Mass
is Oct. 2

By Mary Ann Wyand

Respect Life Sunday events in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on Oct. 2 will focus on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ educational campaign to end violence in all its forms.

The national theme for the annual pro-life observance to be celebrated by Catholics in dioceses throughout the country is “Help Build a World Where Human Life Is Always Loved and Defended, Every Form of Violence Banished.”

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein will be the principal celebrant for the archdiocesan Respect Life Sunday Mass at 1 p.m. on Oct. 2 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis. Father Kevin Morris, pastor of St. Susanna Parish in Plainfield, will concelebrate the eucharistic liturgy, which is open to the public.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Buechlein will present the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Respect Life Award and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Award in recognition of outstanding leadership in promoting the dignity and sanctity of human life.

The 2005 pro-life award recipients
will be announced in the Sept. 30 issue of The Criterion.

After the liturgy, pro-life supporters from many denominations will assemble along North Meridian Street at 2:30 p.m. for the 15th annual Central Indiana Life Chain.

During the one-hour prayer gathering, participants from Catholic parishes and other faith traditions will pray for an end to abortion and hold signs with the messages “Abortion kills children,” “Adoption, the loving option,” “Jesus forgives and heals” and “Lord, forgive us and our nation.”

Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, director of the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry, said the Church’s Respect Life Sunday theme this year highlights the fact that American culture is hostile to the dignity and sanctity of human life.

“Whether we struggle to overturn Roe vs. Wade, prevent euthanasia from being legalized, forbid human bioengineering or insist on mercy for inmates on Death Row, one thing is clear,” Sister Diane said. “We must do all in light of the teachings of the Church. Her teachings provide the beacon of light we must follow in order to discover a culture that respects life.”

(For more information about the Central Indiana Life Chain or to order Life Chain T-shirts, call 317-767-9999 or send an ­e mail to centralindianalifechain2005 @earthlink.net) †