WASHINGTON—In a statement to mark Respect Life Sunday, October 4, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia called attention to those who are most vulnerable in recent debates on health care reform – the unborn, the poor, the elderly and the immigrant – and called upon Catholics to “examine how well we, as a nation and individually, are living up to our obligation to protect the rights of those who, due to age, dependency, poverty or other circumstances, are at risk of their very lives.”
Cardinal Rigali chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Cardinal Rigali noted that the lives of the unborn are those most at risk in America and “despite the opposition of 67% of Americans to taxpayer-funded abortion, all current health care proposals being considered by Congress would allow or mandate abortion funding, either through premiums paid into government programs or out of federal revenues.”
Noting that the unborn are not alone in being under attack in current proposals, Cardinal Rigali called for health care that recognizes the humanity of the immigrant. “How can a just society deny basic health care to those living and working among us who need medical attention? It cannot and must not,” he said.
Cardinal Rigali also addressed a dangerous and false cultural attitude that some persons are not worth protecting because of their perceived “low quality of life.” He stated that “death is not a solution to life’s problems. Only those who are blind to the transcendent reality and meaning of human life could support killing human beings to mitigate economic, social or environmental problems.”
“The antidote to such myopia is to recover an appreciation for the sanctity and dignity of each unique human being,” he said.
Begun in 1972, the Respect Life Program stresses the value and dignity of human life. It is observed in the 195 Catholic dioceses in the United States. This year’s theme is “Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile.” The full statement follows and may be found online at www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/09rigali-stmt.pdf.
Continue reading USCCB Pro-Life Committee Chairman Releases Statement for Respect Life Sunday
We need one or two Knights who can work the blood drive sign-in table from 7:30 AM until 12:30 PM this Saturday, 9/26 in Zuker Hall. If one Knight can be found to work all 5 hours, that would be wonderful, and that’s all we need. But, if one such person isn’t available, we’ll take two who are willing to work 2 1/2 hours apiece. We are expecting a record turnout, and we simply can’t handle the crowd without more help. Please volunteer to Darrell Hutton at 630-961-0526 or 
With a very short leadtime due to packs not being finalized yet, we had 8 Scouts come out to help and some did double shifts, great job Scouts.
Come demonstrate the principles of our Order as the Naperville Knights of Columbus March in the September 7th Labor Day Parade! The parade will step off at 10:00 AM from the parking lot south of Naperville North High School and proceed through downtown Naperville. Marchers should line up between 9:15 and 9:30 AM. All Knights, their families, and friends are encouraged to march. Fourth degree Knights should march in their regalia.
