At LA Red Mass, Cardinal-designate stresses protection of life

Published: 2003-10-03

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- In his first homily since being named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, Cardinal-designate Justin F. Rigali Oct. 1 stressed the need to protect the unborn from abortion and the elderly and infirm from unnatural death. The prelate, a native of Los Angeles who was to be installed as Philadelphia's archbishop Oct. 7, delivered the homily at the Los Angeles Archdiocese's 21st annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. With hundreds of members of Los Angeles' legal community present, Cardinal-designate Rigali touched upon the theme of human life on what was the first day of Respect Life Month, observed in the United States in October. "The issues of abortion, partial-birth abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide can never be divorced from the principles of human solidarity rooted in the truth of God and incorporated into our nature and impressed on our hearts by the commandment of God, 'Thou shall not kill,'" Cardinal-designate Rigali said.

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