The National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee For Pro-Life Activities met with diocesan Pro-Life and Respect Life coordinators last week in Atlanta’s Stadium Hotel. The meeting was one of five regional meetings being held across the country; the meetings serve diocesan coordinators each year in assessing their programs. The meeting was well attended, primarily by representatives of the southeastern dioceses, but also drawing a few snowbirds from the North, such as Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Kentucky. Atlanta was well represented by Archdiocesan Respect Life Coordinator, Mary Ellen Hughes, and by Pro-Life Coordinator, Kathy Buckley, by Father Edward J. Dillon, the director of both offices, and by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan, who also serves on the Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities. Also attending was Bishop Rene H. Gracida of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

The primary theme of the meeting focused on the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Plan, was formulated in 1975, and instituted thereafter in dioceses throughout the country. It focuses attention on the pervasive threat to human life arising from the present disrespectful attitudes toward human life today. In directing their attention to the sanctity of human life, the Bishops hope to generate a greater respect for the life of each person in society. In the Pastoral Plan, the Bishops express their confidence that greater respect for human life will result from continuing the public discussion of abortion and other threats to life, and from effort to shape this country’s laws so as to protect the life of all persons, including the unborn.

Thus the Pastoral Plan seeks to activate the pastoral resources of the Church in three major efforts: 1) an educational/public information effort to inform, clarify and deepen the understanding of the basic issues; 2) a pastoral effort addressed to the specific needs of women with problems related to pregnancy and to those who have had or have taken part in an abortion; and 3) a public policy effort directed toward the legislative, judicial and administrative areas so as to insure the effective legal protection for the right to life.

Father Edward M. Bryce, Director, Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, noted in his introductory remarks that these three major efforts of the Pastoral Plan constitute a tripod relationship; that is, each effort is essential in and of itself, as well as being mutually dependent on each of the other efforts. A Human Life Amendment would not be a possibility without a tremendous educational effort, and neither of these would succeed without the pastoral care available to those lives presently being touched by the tragedy of abortion. Each program needs the other.

William Cox, Director, National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, gave a presentation on the first day of the meeting, citing the growing support for a Human Life Amendment a good reason for encouragement and for renewed efforts. Specifically, Cox said there has been remarkable progress in three key areas. He pointed out that abortion had become a major issue in several campaigns around the country, even to the point of determining the election outcome in two congressional districts. Progress is also evidenced by the formation of pro-life/respect life organization in quantity and quality; thousands of citizens are being brought into the process of public policy making each year, Cox said.

Also, progress can be observed in the Congressional arena; in 1978, five different pro-life amendments were attached to major funding legislation. Major support in Congress is growing for positive alternatives to abortion, as well. In conclusion, Cox stated that “genuine progress is being made, not by accident or because of good arguments, but because good people have decided to become organized, active, and involved in this issue. We will continue to see progress if we maintain and expand what we now know.”

Father Donald McCarthy, Ph.D., gave the keynote address, entitled “Respect Life: Care of the Dying.” He focused the main body of his address on the theological and historical origins of the value of the human person and the “respect life philosophy.” He presented a brief historical overview of the philosophy of the human person, tracing the Church’s “roots,” so to speak. Father McCarthy pointed out that this country’s thought, with regard to human persons, continues to be based on the philosophy that man’s existential value precedes his functional value.

However, he conceded that a popular position today is that man’s function determines his dignity and worth. In relating the “respect life” philosophy to the care of the dying, Father McCarthy posed a rhetorical question: “Do we look today for the value of a human person from within, or from without?” Considering the proposal of euthanasia as a means of caring for a dying person, does man reflect on his own dignity in light of his creation in God’s image? Father McCarthy’s talk was both challenging and inspiring, and the remainder of Thursday’s meeting was turned over to closed discussion and questions pertaining to Father McCarthy’s presentation and the Bishops’ Pastoral Plan.

Father Richard L. Conboy, Ph.D., National Pastoral Planners Conference, was the speaker for Friday’s meeting; he concentrated on the topics of Diocesan Planning and Motivation. Although his talks were loosely structured and informal, they presented the diocesan coordinators with an excellent opportunity for assessing their own needs, examining each other’s successes and failures, and learning better how to impact in their respective dioceses. Friday’s meeting provided a much-appreciated time for sharing and exchange which was absent in prior meetings.

Archbishop Donnellan was very supportive in his own participation and response to the discussions. The Atlanta regional meeting closed on an encouraging note, and with an uplifting celebration of the Liturgy.