The Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Columbus continues to grow as it responds to the pressing need to defend and protect the dignity of each human life.
In July, in the wake of Issue 1, Bishop Earl Fernandes established the Respect Life Office with Father Bob Penhallurick as Director. Fr. Penhallurick emphasized how the Respect Life Office will serve and evangelize both the secular culture and fellow Catholics by showing the beauty and worth of each human life from natural conception to natural death.
In December, Father Penhallurick welcomed Mary Parker as the associate director for the Respect Life Office.
Parker has worked for various pro-life organizations, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Ohio Right to Life and Heartbeat International. She received her master’s degree in theology from Ave Maria University. Her thesis focused on how practicing the virtue of solidarity can help challenge physician-assisted suicide.
“With her previous experience in the legislature and pregnancy care movement, Mary will be an asset to the Respect Life Office,” Father Penhallurick said.
“It is a privilege to serve the Church for such an important cause,” Parker said. “It is my hope that the Respect Life Office can serve those who have faithfully served the pro-life movement and invite others to help serve the most vulnerable in our community.”
Pope Francis has stressed the importance of accompaniment, and this will hold true for the Respect Life Office.
The Respect Life Office will be looking for new ways to help accompany mothers in unexpected pregnancies, families struggling with an adverse prenatal diagnosis, those who are suffering from previous abortions, medical professionals facing ethical dilemmas and the dying who may view themselves as burdens to their loved ones.
“The dignity of each human life stems from the fact that we are made by God to return to God. As C.S. Lewis said, ‘There are no ordinary people.’ We are all called to the glory of heaven. Before we can attempt to solve the problems of today, we must first look to the Lord of Life who teaches us how to truly love our neighbor,” Parker said.
With this in mind, Father Penhallurick and Parker ask the faithful to keep them and those in the pro-life movement in their prayers, especially at the start of a busy new year.
In January, the Respect Life Office will attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. with Bishop Fernandes.
On Jan. 27, Bishop Fernandes will celebrate the annual Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral at 10 a.m.
In March, Father Penhallurick and Parker will begin attending the deanery meetings in the diocese and meeting with parish pro-life groups. This time together will hopefully provide an opportunity for spiritual renewal, healing and to hear more about their strengths and concerns.
The Diocese of Columbus is a sponsor for the Converging Roads Conference, which will take place on April 5 at the Pontifical College Josephinum. The Converging Roads Conference is a regional one-day conference that equips medical professionals to practice the highest ethical standards of their profession.
“We need to help health care professionals embrace the pro-life movement because of their impact on our culture and patients,” Parker said.
“My father, Dr. Michael Parker, is a pro-life OB/GYN and my mother, Teresa, is a nurse. When they made the decision that my dad would no longer prescribe contraceptives at his practice, it took a tremendous amount of courage and strength. They made that leap of faith because of the Catholic community around them that helped to support and guide them.”
Throughout the year, Father Penhallurick and Parker will join Dave Osborn, Cam Clutter and Amanda Miller on the St. Gabriel Café show on St. Gabriel Radio that airs weekdays from 8 to 9 a.m.
Additionally, Parker believes that one of the top priorities for the Respect Life Office will be to find ways to help those who are suffering after having an abortion.
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 1 in 4 women will have an abortion before the age of 45. It estimates that 19 percent will have an abortion by age 30.
“We need to realize that many of these women and men who have been affected by abortion are sitting next to us in the pews. Oftentimes, they are burdened by overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame. They feel like they could never be welcomed in the Church,” Parker said.
“The Church is the best place to find healing for those who have had an abortion. God’s mercy knows no bounds, and we definitively encounter His mercy in the sacraments.”
Parker hopes to compliment the efforts of Bethesda Healing Ministry through diocesan-led retreats and initiatives.
“We do have an uphill battle before us,” Parker said. “But this new year holds a lot of hope, and I look forward to seeing how God will use the Respect Life office to promote a greater love for all life.”