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Catholic News Herald

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102519 Respect lifeDr. Matt Harrison was among those who gave presentations at the Diocese of Charlotte Respect Life Conference Oct. 5. (Photo provided)CHARLOTTE — The annual Respect Life Conference sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Respect Life Program was held at St. Vincent de Paul Church Oct. 5, drawing 60 people from across the diocese and beyond and included participants from more than 20 parishes across the diocese.

The day began with Mass offered by St. Vincent de Paul’s parochial vicar, Father Cory Catron, who recently obtained a degree in bioethics. The conference included educational sessions on a variety of life issues with a scientific theme that ran throughout the day focusing on life from its very beginning stages to the end of life. Topics included: new genetic technologies, end-of-life ethics, care of infants with life-limiting prenatal diagnoses, abortion pill reversal, and a report on research on drug-induced pregnancy termination.

The keynote presenter at the conference was Paul Scherz, Ph.D., professor of moral theology and bioethics at The Catholic University of America, whose keynote presentation focused on the rise and possible ramifications of new genetic technologies. Scherz’s presentation discussed the new medical and genetic technologies that can provide both promise and moral dangers. He also provided an overview of the Church’s principles on upholding dignity of the human person with new biomedical technologies by identifying the life-affirming and life-opposing practices and techniques.

The day ended with an in-depth look into the research findings of the physical, behavioral and emotional effects chemical abortions can cause in laboratory rats, presented by Dr. Stephen Sammut and his research assistant, Christina Camilleri of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

In addition to educational presentations there were resources on hand from local pro-life organizations.

The next Diocesan Respect Life Conference will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville. Look for additional details to come.

— Jessica Grabowski, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Jessica Grabowski is the Respect Life program director for the Diocese of Charlotte.