Bishops’ Pro-Life Conference: Life, Dignity and Disability

Details: 06 September 2013

Mark your calendar now for Oct. 18 and 19 as the date of the 2013 Bishops’ Pro Life Conference.

This annual conference dates back to the mid to late 1970s and has built a reputation of excellent topics and speakers, featuring such luminaries as Cardinal John O’Connor, Congressman Henry Hyde, Mother Angelica, Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Raymond Arroyo and George Weigel.

This year’s conference continues the tradition of excellent topics and speakers and brings a national dimension with its co-sponsorship by Human Life International. Human Life International was officially established in 1981 as a continuation of the Human Life Center founded by Father Paul Marx in 1971.

According to its website, "HLI exists for the defense of life, faith and family around the world… Sponsor of more than 70 international conferences and over 50 conferences in the United States, HLI’s missionaries have inspired and trained pro-life leaders, families, seminarians and students in approximately 160 nations." Father Shenan J. Boquet assumed the role of president of HLI in November of 2011.

Recently, HLI established a new national conference series entitled "In Life & Love: Fostering the Good of Marriage and Family Life". The conference proposes different themes and host dioceses each year. The Archdiocese of Omaha was approached to host this year’s conference in October and since it coincided with the annual Nebraska Bishops’ Pro Life Conference, the two conferences became one.

The theme for the conference is "Life, Dignity and Disability: A Faith that Welcomes." As the theme indicates, the conference will focus in particular on the dignity of persons with disabilities.

The conference will begin with a Friday evening reception and banquet attended by all three bishops of Nebraska. Most Reverend James D. Conley, Bishop of Lincoln, will give the keynote address entitled, "Fulfilling Your Prophetic Mission in Our Secular World."

At the banquet, three exemplary Catholic pro-life leaders (one from each diocese) will be presented with the Gospel of Life award. In addition, the winners of the state pro-life essay contest (sponsored by my office and the Knights of Columbus) will deliver their essays and be presented with an award.

The conference continues on Saturday with Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop George Lucas followed by numerous outstanding topics and speakers. Most notable are HLI president Father Shenan Boquet ("In the Divine Likeness He Created Them"); and popular authors/speakers Peter Kreeft ("Why Does God Will that We Suffer Disabilities?") and Joseph Pearce ("Joyful Suffering with the Missionaries of the Poor").

Breakout sessions will provide attendees with the choice of several additional topics: "St. Germain Cousins, From Suffering to Sacrifice"; "The Effect of Policy Trends on Life, Dignity and Disability"; "Love at First Sight: A Parenting Journey"; "Journey to Love: Responding to a Poor Prenatal Diagnosis"; "The Greatest Threat to Life and Dignity"; and "Human Dignity and Appropriate End-of-Life Care."

The Bishops’ Pro Life Conference has traditionally been held in Lincoln, but because of the HLI co-sponsorship, it was decided to hold the conference in Omaha at the Ramada Plaza Convention Center (72nd and Grover). More information and online registration is available on the Nebraska Catholic Conference website at www.nebcathcon.org.

My office is very pleased to collaborate with Human Life International in sponsoring this year’s pro-life conference. Amidst a culture that dismisses its weakest members as problems or burdens to be eliminated, this event provides a wonderful opportunity to proclaim and celebrate the sacred dignity of every human life, especially those who are weakest and most defenseless.

You can contact Greg at The Nebraska Catholic Conference, 215 Centennial Mall South Suite 310, Lincoln, NE 68508; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.