The Seamless Garment: A New Committee for Life Concerns

Thanks to the response of several of our community members, we are ready to begin a new Life Concerns Committee.  This committee will lead us in responding to Catholic Social Teaching as it relates to "life issues" (abortion, death penalty, euthanasia, etc.).

We have always faithfully collaborated with the Catholic Conference of Kentucky and the US Catholic Bishops with regards to any legislative action to be taken on life concerns, but it has been several years since there was an active committee to lead the parish in awareness and action around this issue.

Life concerns are a "womb to tomb" issue in our Church.  We commonly talk about the "seamless garment"--a phrase that the US Catholic Bishops have given us to emphasize that we cannot simply address one life issue while ignoring others.  Therefore, one of the key principles to keep in mind for this committee is that it be a "seamless garment" committee. This is so critical that I've thought about proposing that we call the committee the "Seamless Garment Committee".

There are several good reasons that it is time to move ahead with reinvigorating this committee in our parish.  The sacredness of all life is threatened by the violence of our society.  Of particular note are current efforts in Kentucky to protect unborn infants, and the very real possibility of a number of KY executions in the coming months.  Our faith community needs to be aware, and have avenues for response.  Also, our Social Responsibility Steering Committee is working to lay out a long-range plan for parish formation in social responsibility.  Sanctity of life is the bedrock teaching for all Catholic Social Teaching, so it is imperative that we integrate this issue into the long-range plan.

I would like to hold an organizational conversation for this committee on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 pm.  I very much hope you will come.

If you want to review Catholic Social Teaching with regards to the sanctity of life, I've prepared a memo with links to some of the teaching documents.  This might be helpful for those who plan to attend the meeting.
Just click here: Life Concerns Memo

Please let me know if you will be able to attend the meeting.
Sister Larraine