Respect Life & Social Justice
The Respect Life & Social Justice Office assists the bishop in proclaiming the dignity of human life created in the Image of God as the basis for the fundamental human right to life; and applying our Church's social doctrine to local situations.
More Information:
Birth Mother support
Political Life and Religious Liberty
Walking with Moms in Need
Assistance Database and Resources
End of Life Issues
Birthmother Gathering
Join us every second Tuesday of the month at the Spiritual Life Center from 6:30-8:00pm. Birth mothers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to attend this gathering as an opportunity to share your experience and find support. There is no cost or RSVP required.
After the Gift Retreat
A weekend retreat at the Spiritual Life Center, offers a celebration of the birth mom - honoring her decision to choose life, offering her compassion and understanding, addressing the unique grief of birthmothers, and providing ongoing support after the retreat.
Faithful Citizenship
Responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation in political life is a moral obligation.
Religious Liberty
The bishops have called the faithful to Get Informed, Advocate and Pray for Conscience Rights. Join in solidarity to protect the conscience rights of all.
Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference.” The Respect Life and Social Justice Office is here to help and support parishes in this effort.
Assistance Database
This is a resource for local St. Vincent De Paul Societies.
Word of Life Resource
Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Kansas Death Penalty
Kansas statute established the death penalty by lethal injection as a sentencing option for offenders 18 years of age and older who are convicted of capital murder (K.S.A. 21-3439).
A number of inmates have been convicted of capital murder but sentenced to life in prison (with a minimum term of 25 years to parole eligibility) instead of death.
Kansas does not have a separate “death row.” Inmates sentenced to death are typically housed in El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF), along with other inmates who are in administrative segregation.
In the event that a female inmate is sentenced to death, she will be held at the Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF), the only facility for female inmates in Kansas.
Kansas has not executed an inmate since 1965.
The average annual cost of incarceration at the El Dorado Correctional Facility for Fiscal Year 2016 was $25,596.
Value Them Both
This past January, the Kansas Legislature stood up to the abortion industry to support women and babies. They voted to put the Value Them Both amendment on the ballot. Now, Kansans will get the final say with a vote on the amendment in August of 2022.
THE AMENDMENT
The following statement shall be printed on the ballot with the amendment as a whole:
“Explanatory statement. The Value Them Both Amendment would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion because there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion.
“A vote for the Value Them Both Amendment would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion because there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion.
“A vote against the Value Them Both Amendment would make no changes to the constitution of the state of Kansas and could prevent the people, through their elected state legislators, from regulating abortion in many circumstances. It would leave in place the newly discovered right to abortion first recognized in 2019.”
**The legislative process for Value Them Both began in 2020 where it passed the Kansas Senate, but came up four votes shy in the House. Every Republican voted YES on Value Them Both except State Senator John Skubal and four state representatives: Rep. Don Hineman, Rep. Jan Kessinger, Rep. Tom Philips and Rep. Bill Pannbacker. Each of these Republican elected officials were either defeated by a challenger in their 2020 primary or made the decision to retire.
Congress is trying to force Americans to pay for abortion.
The Hyde Amendment and similar laws have protected taxpayers from funding elective abortion for 45 years. Now, powerful members of Congress want to take away these laws that both Democrats and Republicans have supported for nearly half a century. Billions of taxpayer dollars could be used to pay for abortion.
It is critically important for Catholics to send a strong message before Congress moves forward to impose taxpayer-funded abortion.
The following link can be used within your networks, to raise their awareness and urge Catholics to sign the petition on NoTaxpayerAbortion.com.
First Saturday Rosary
The Respect Life and Social Justice Office sponsors a monthly rosary beginning at 9:00 a.m.
As a diocesan family, we join our hearts with Mary, praying with her for the conversion of all who provide or receive abortions, and for the establishment of a culture of life in our society.
Join us in prayer and reflection.
Contact Us
Respect Life & Social Justice
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
424 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (316) 269-3900