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Respect Life Office Mission Statement
The Respect Life Office of Orlando functions as the advocacy arm of the Diocese of Orlando, serving the community through education, legislative advocacy, pastoral care, and prayer. Our many programs integrate issues in the areas of aging, disabilities, pro-life, and social justice within a Consistent Life Ethic (CLE) framework that permeates the fabric of the parish and the local community, and which empowers church members and respect life advocates with knowledge and the necessary tools to take effective action.
The Respect Life Framework
The CLE model, created by Joseph Cardinal Bernadin, explains Church teaching within a consistent moral construct. We use this model in our work for the Respect Life Office because it supports the concept that all life and justice issues, issues that affect human dignity, have distinctive characteristics that lend themselves to a coherent moral vision. These characteristics are based on the body of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) whose fundamental principle is the sacredness and dignity of all human life.
We hope you will join us for the following events:
MARCH FOR LIFE ST. AUGUSTINE - SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2009
The Office of Advocacy and Justice is sponsoring buses to the March for Life in St. Augustine, FL on Saturday, January 17, 2009. We invite you and your ministries to join us for a march from the Mission Nombre de Dios - The Great Cross - to the downtown public plaza where we will hear dynamic pro-life speakers. The cost to attend is $25 for adults, $10 for students, $40 for families and $100 for youth groups of 20 or more teens. For more information or to reserve a spot on the bus, please call 407-246-4819 or email eclayton@orlandodiocese.org. Download the flyer in pdf format here.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT
The U.S. Bishops are sponsoring a postcard campaign for January 24-25 in all parishes to bring the dangerous prospective policies and legislation of the Freedom of Choice Act to the attention of our Florida Senators: Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson and to our U.S. Representatives. Click here to download a postcard.
CATHOLIC DAYS AT THE CAPITOL, MARCH 10-12
It is time once again to plan our annual trip to Tallahassee from March 10-12, 2009. You will have a chance to meet and build relationships with our state legislators and our Catholic bishops. The trip is a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of how to be more faithful citizens. Your presence there is a continuing reminder to those who make laws governing our state that you care and as Catholics, our support for advocacy efforts of the Florida Catholic Conference are important opportunities to change unjust laws and social structures. The activities in Tallahassee will begin with a legislative briefing on Tuesday, March 10th to prepare for the legislative visits. On March 11th, we will have a luncheon with our bishops and Catholic legislators. In the evening, we will celebrate the 34th annual Red Mass, which will be held with all the Florida bishops.
Download the registration form here (pdf format) or contact the Office of Advocacy and Justice at 407-246-4819 or eclayton@orlandodiocese.org.
RESPECT LIFE CONFERENCE
The Diocese of Orlando will host the 23rd Annual Statewide Respect Life Conference, October 16-18, 2009, sponsored by the Florida Bishops and the Florida Catholic Conference. The event will be held at the Orlando Marriot Lake Mary and will feature national speakers as well as have a youth component. Registration information available. Click here to download the pdf flyer of this event.
ALZHEIMER'S & OTHER DEMENTIAS EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
The University of Florida is coordinating a program sponsored by the Department of Elder Affairs that is designed for caregivers, friends and famlies of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. They are looking for opportunities to speak to the community, especially Hispanics, about Alzheimer's disease & other dementias, to show them how to access services and obtain information and support. Presentations are in English & Spanish. They are asking for your assistance in reaching out to families and seniors, especially Hispanics. To schedule a presentation at your parish please contact the Office of Advocacy and Justice at (407) 246-4819 or email eclayton@orlandodiocese.org.
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