In an effort to broaden the focus of Saint Louis University’s Students for Life organization, the theme of this year’s Respect Life Week does not focus solely on abortion, but extends to the dignity of life at all stages.
“We hope to showcase the inherent universal dignity guaranteed to all humans in order to inspire students to produce a culture of life here at SLU,” Respect Life Week chairwoman, Theresa Mullin, said.
The change reflects a response to criticism received by Students for Life last year for only focusing on abortion.
“This year we hope to not only focus on abortion like last year, but also on euthanasia, the death penalty and respect for the dignity of life in general,” Mullin said. “We want students to know that we’re listening and trying to reach to more students this year.”
“We are trying to be more inclusive and advocate for social justice in all aspects of life,” Mullin said. “This is a week for social justice and we believe the right to a dignified life should be fundamental from conception until natural death.”
Respect Life Week begins on Oct. 2, with the construction of a cemetery to remember victims of abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty, followed by a Mass at 9 p.m. at Saint Francis Xavier College Church.
On Oct. 3, Students for Life will host speaker Mary Meehan at 7 p.m. in Tegeler Hall room 200. Meehan, a political writer, will deliver a presentation entitled “What You Can Do to Build a Culture of Life.”
On Oct. 4, Students for Life shifts its focus to the topic of euthanasia by hosting a workshop at 8 p.m. in Ritter Hall.
The Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty will deliver a lecture at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 in the Busch Student Center Room 173.
Speaker Bryan Kemper will deliver a presentation on Oct. 6. Kemper’s speech, “Social Justice Begins in the Womb,” will be at 7 p.m. in the BSC Wool Ballroom and reflects the new mission of Students for Life.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a life chain on Oct. 8 at the intersection of Grand and Laclede at from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., as part of International Life Chain Day.
Participants will stand on the intersection with signs that advocate for anti-abortion causes.
On Oct. 9, Students for Life will host a service opportunity at Our Lady’s Inn Crisis Pregnancy Center. Transportation is provided, and those interested in attending can meet behind Griesedieck at 10:30 a.m.
Respect Life Week concludes on Oct. 10, with participation in the 40 Days for Life, a prayer vigil that takes place outside of Planned Parenthood in the Central West End. Interested participants can meet behind the SLU clock tower at 10:40 a.m to attend.
“We hope the week shows student’s that we’re not here to preach but to encourage people to reflect on our goals,” Mullin said.
In addition to hosting Respect Life Week and altering their focus toward topics other than abortion, Students for Life has focused much of its efforts on increasing awareness of their Pregnant and Parenting Students Fund.
The fund, which started three years ago, has already raised more than $50,000 to assist student-parents with the costs of attending school.
“We don’t want students to have to struggle through school while caring for a child. We want this week to raise awareness of this great cause,” Mullin said.
Despite changes in the mission, Ellen Albritton, external vice president of Students for Life, said that the organization plans to continue to focus on abortion.
“Our goal is from the week is for students to be equipped with the tools to build a community that fosters and promotes life and the dignity of life at all stages,” Albritton said. “We want Respect Life Week to spark an authentic dialogue on campus and raise awareness of these issues.”