Cardinal says his committee's work is to be faithful defender of life

Published: 2007-01-25

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- The priorities of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities today are "the priorities we've had for years, along with new challenges to life, " said Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, who is now chairman of the committee. "We are simply trying to be faithful defenders of life at this juncture in the history of the U.S. and the world," said the cardinal. Cardinal Rigali was chosen chairman-elect of the pro-life committee during the bishops' November 2005 general meeting, and took over as chairman at the end of the bishops' fall meeting in 2006, succeeding Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore. "Whatever wounds, weakens or destroys life anywhere is something that is to be banned from the world," the cardinal told The Catholic Standard & Times, his archdiocesan newspaper. "But we must start by showing respect to each and every human being, recognizing the right to life of each human being from conception to natural death."

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