CULTURE OF LIFE

The Respect Life Program of the Office of Human Life & Dignity bases all of its advocacy, education, and ministries on the foundational principle of respect for life from conception until natural death.

As St. John Paul stated in “The Gospel of Life,” (the encyclical Evangelium Vitae):

“Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart (cf. Rom 2:14-15) the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree. Upon the recognition of this right, every human community and the political community itself are founded.

“In a special way, believers in Christ must defend and promote this right, aware as they are of the wonderful truth recalled by the Second Vatican Council: ‘By his incarnation the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every human being’.2 This saving event reveals to humanity not only the boundless love of God who “so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16), but also the incomparable value of every human person.”

The Respect Life Program works under the leadership of the Archbishop, the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat and the California Catholic Conference. We offer resources to priests and religious, parishes, schools, religious education programs, anyone within the Archdiocese seeking to promote the Culture of Life, other organizations supporting the life issues, and service providers within the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

El Programa Respeto a la Vida de la Oficina de Vida y Dignidad Humana basa toda su promociĂłn, educaciĂłn y ministerios en el principio fundamental del respeto por la vida desde la concepciĂłn hasta la muerte natural. 

Como dijo San Juan Pablo en “El Evangelio de la vida” (la encĂ­clica Evangelium Vitae): 

“Incluso en medio de las dificultades e incertidumbres, toda persona sinceramente abierta a la verdad y al bien puede, a la luz de la razĂłn y a la acciĂłn oculta de la gracia, llegar a reconocer en la ley natural escrita en el corazĂłn (cf. Rm 2, 14). -15) el valor sagrado de la vida humana desde su inicio hasta su fin, y puede afirmar el derecho de todo ser humano a que este bien primario sea respetado en el más alto grado. Sobre el reconocimiento de este derecho se funda toda comunidad humana y la propia comunidad polĂ­tica. 

“De manera especial, los creyentes en Cristo deben defender y promover este derecho, conscientes de la maravillosa verdad recordada por el Concilio Vaticano II: ‘Por su encarnaciĂłn, el Hijo de Dios se ha unido de alguna manera con todo ser humano’ .2 Este acontecimiento salvĂ­fico revela a la humanidad no solo el amor ilimitado de Dios, que “tanto amĂł al mundo que diĂł a su Ăşnico Hijo ” (Jn 3, 16), sino tambiĂ©n el valor incomparable de toda persona humana “. 

El Programa Respeto a la Vida trabaja bajo el liderazgo del Arzobispo, el Secretariado Pro-Vida de la USCCB y la Conferencia CatĂłlica de California. Ofrecemos recursos a sacerdotes y religiosos, parroquias, escuelas, programas de educaciĂłn religiosa, cualquier persona dentro de la ArquidiĂłcesis que busque promover la cultura de la vida, otras organizaciones que apoyan los problemas de la vida y proveedores de servicios dentro de la ArquidiĂłcesis de San Francisco. 

Upcoming Events

Nov 29
Women’s Retreat for Healing after Abortion
El retiro se ofrece en español y se llevará a cabo en un lugar confidencial. Por favor regístrese en el formulario que esta al final de esta página Please register… Read More
Jan 25
Walk for Life Mass
The official Walk for Life Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone– all are welcome.
Jan 25
Walk for Life West Coast Rally and Walk
Walk for Life Rally and Walk Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco 11-12:30 Info Faire 12:30 p.m. Walk for Life Rally 1:30 p.m. Walk for Life begins
Feb 06
Online Rosary to Eradicate Human Trafficking – Memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita
Save the date and join us to pray on the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita. February 8 has been designated as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against… Read More
Apr 27
Respect Life Essay Contest Mass & Awards Ceremony
Participants of the 2025 Respect Life Essay Contest are invited to join us for a special Mass and Awards Ceremony presided by Archbishop Cordileone. Principals, Teachers and Parents of children… Read More

Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You

A Pastoral Letter on the Human Dignity of the Unborn, Holy Communion, and Catholics in Public Life By the Most Reverend Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

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