Bishop Gruss calls faithful to be defenders of life and to recognize the dignity of the person as Respect Life Month Approaches

In October, we celebrate Respect Life Month. In this message, Bishop Gruss calls the faithful to defend life, reflect on the dignity of the person and more. Below are a few excerpts from his reflection:"As Catholics, we believe that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. Every human life is therefore sacred and inviolable and should be protected and cherished from conception until natural death."Christ through His Church continues to urge us to be defenders of life in the midst of the culture of death."The Dignity of the Person"A person who is not deeply aware of their own dignity in God, will never be aware of the dignity of the child within the womb; will never be aware of the dignity of the person who is sick, the dignity of the person who is vulnerable, the dignity of the person who is handicapped, etc."Perhaps as we take this time to reflect upon what it means to be pro-life, we also take the time to reflect upon our own dignity in a deeper way."It will have an impact in two ways, I think. The first way: we will come to a deeper understanding of who we really are as individuals created in God’s image and likeness, as 'masterpieces of God’s creation'; secondly, in doing so, perhaps we will come to have a greater compassion for those who are suffering, for those who feel the need to choose the path of least resistance, and find ways to bring them hope in their difficult situation, whatever it might be."