On The Gospel of Life's 25th Anniversary, U.S. Bishops Launch Program for Mothers in Need

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25, we also mark the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II's encyclical,  Evangelium Vitae ( The Gospel of Life). This prophetic document on the value and inviolability of every human life remains an indispensable source of truth. It reaffirms the "greatness and the inestimable value of human life" ( EV 2) and addresses present-day legal, ethical, and moral threats to life, including abortion, artificial reproduction techniques, contraception, the death penalty, euthanasia, sterilization, and suicide. 

Evangelium Vitae also highlights the special role of women in bearing the gift of life to the world and the many challenges that expectant mothers may face, including lack of support from the father, financial strains, concerns about her own health or that of her child, and pressures from family and friends. In honor of the encyclical's 25th anniversary, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities has launched a nationwide effort beginning March 25, 2020 entitled,  Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service .

Across the nation, many tens of thousands of pregnant and parenting moms are helped each year by Catholic Charities and other ministries. Thousands of pregnancy care centers are staffed by Catholic volunteers. This special anniversary year provides the Church with an opportunity to assess, expand, and better communicate resources to pregnant moms and families in need. 

Parishes, through the support of their bishops and pastors, are invited to join this effort to increase the Church's outreach and support to pregnant women facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies. Women facing challenging pregnancies should see the Church as a place where they can find help, especially with its extensive social services dedicated to meeting the needs of people in crisis.

Parish resources on The Gospel of Life are posted at https://www.respectlife.org/gospel-of-life and for the Year of Service at www.walkingwithmoms.com.