PRAY WITH POPE LEO
This month, please join Pope Leo in praying for the greater respect for human life. His Holiness prays, "Forgive us, Lord, when we fall into indifference or the culture of discard, when we fail to see in others a being worthy of love. Give us a new heart, always ready to choose life, and generous hands that protect it through concrete actions. Make your Church a living witness of the Gospel of life, an open home where every life is celebrated, where no one feels unwanted, and where dignity is always honored and protected."
Read more about the Pray with the Pope Initative here!
NEW RESOURCE: WHAT ARE ABORTION PILLS?
The Committee on Pro-Life Activities has developed an educational “one-pager” entitled “What are Abortion Pills?” to explain the associated harms and risks. This can be shared with clergy, parish leaders, and in websites, social media, and parish bulletins. View here! (en español)
POPE LEO SENDS MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Marking the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, Pope Leo XIV has addressed a letter to the American people. His Holiness wrote, "Also among the principles that have guided the development of this country is the God-given dignity of every human life, each person being endowed with an inherent worth that calls for reverence, protection and care. In this spirit, a full understanding of this dignity leads to recognizing the importance of safeguarding human life from its beginning at conception until natural death..."
WORD OF LIFE: AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER 2026
The August 2026 and September 2026 issues of Word of Life are available in English and Spanish. Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes that includes monthly special features, intercessions, bulletin quotes, and graphics. Previous editions can be found in the archive, and anyone can subscribe to receive Word of Life directly by email.
PARISH WEBINAR: PREPARING FOR RESPECT LIFE MONTH
In a live webinar on Thursday, August 28 at 8 pm (EDT), USCCB staff will go through this year's new materials for Respect Life Month as well as the perennial Respect Life Month action guide. This introductory-level webinar is perfect for parish staff and volunteers, but anyone is welcome to join. Register here!
CERTIFICATION IN CATHOLIC BIOETHICS
The National Catholic Bioethics Center's (NCBC) online certification program in health care ethics starts next month! The program educates students in the foundational principles and teachings of the Church’s moral tradition and in their application to challenging contemporary issues in bioethics and health care. The certification program is open to all Catholic professionals, including teachers of religion and science and those involved in the pro-life movement.
NATIONWIDE NFP AWARENESS WEEK: JULY 19-25
National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness about Catholic teaching on marriage, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood. The USCCB provides materials to assist dioceses in sharing basic information about the methods of NFP and why they support God's design for love and life.
Inclusion in the digest does not necessarily indicate endorsement.
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