Every October, the Church in the United States observes Respect Life Month, a time to reflect more deeply on the sacred gift of human life and to renew our commitment to building a culture that consistently protects and promotes life—from conception to natural death. The theme for 2025 is “Life: Our Sign of Hope.”
The first Sunday of October is designated Respect Life Sunday, a moment for us to recommit ourselves as one Body in Christ to building a culture of life here in Northeast Ohio. May this month renew in us the conviction that every human life is a sign of hope and a reflection of the God who came so that we might “have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
The Office for Human Life embraces a consistent ethic of life, often called the “seamless garment,” which affirms that every person bears the image of God and is deserving of dignity (cf. Gn. 1:27). From the unborn child to the prisoner on death row, from the refugee seeking safety to the neighbor facing poverty or addiction, our Church proclaims that all human life is sacred and inviolable.
In the words of Pope St. John Paul II:
“Respect, protect, love, and serve life, every human life!” (Evangelium Vitae, no. 5).
This call is not abstract—it is the Gospel itself, entrusted to each of us as missionary disciples. Bishop Malesic reminds us that every Catholic in the Diocese of Cleveland should "be able to identify his or her mission of service in the world" (A Flourishing Apostolic Church). This can take a variety of forms: defending the unborn, accompanying the elderly and dying, or serving the poor and marginalized.
To help our parishes, schools, and families live this out, the Office for Human Life has created a toolkit modeled on the four pillars of the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: Prayer, Education, Advocacy, and Pastoral Care. Each week of October highlights a different theme of life and dignity, offering homily helps, sample petitions, handouts, advocacy initiatives, suggested activities, and social media graphics. These resources are designed to be put into your hands—ready to be adapted and brought to life in your local community.
For information on our 2025 advocacy campaign, Prohibit State-Funded Death, click here.
For the entire Diocese of Cleveland 2025 Respect Life Month Toolkit (PDF) click below.
2025 Respect Life Month Toolkit
For additional resources, information, or suggested activities to use during Respect Life Month, click here.
As Catholics, we believe every human life is a precious gift from God--sacred, inviolable, and worthy of protection from conception until natural death.
As Catholics, we believe every person is created in the image and likeness of God. This dignity is never lost, even after grave harm has been done.
As Catholics, we are called to accompany the elderly, the sick, and the dying with love and respect.
As Catholics, we are called to reject the culture of violence in all its forms--on our streets, in our homes, and among nations. The Gospel of Life summons us to be peacemakers, healers, and builders of justice.
As part of Respect Life Month, individuals, families, parishes, and schools are invited to participate in a month-long letter-writing campaign to support HB 72 and SB 134 — legislation that prohibits state funding of abortion, assisted suicide, and the death penalty (referred to commonly as the “No State-Funded Death Bill"). This action flows directly from the Advocacy pillar of the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, which invites us to bring our voices to the public square in defense of life and dignity.
Find your represenatives:
Craft your letter. If you would like to use our sample template, please click the links below:
Ohio Reprensative (Form Letter)
To send your letter as a digital message, please visit Catholic Conference of Ohio's action alert page (click here).
Follow up with your Legislator(s): a personal phone call strengthens your letter's impact.
Stay Engaged!
We urge all Catholics to register, vote and become more involved in public life, to protect human life and dignity, and to advance the common good.
~"Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility (USCCB)
Follow the Office for Human Life on Instagram (@humanlifecle) and/or Facebook (HumanLifeCLE) for updates throughout the month of October. Be sure to share with us how you are raising awareness of the sancticty of all life by tagging us and using the #respectlifeCLE so we can highlight and celebrate your witness across Northeast Ohio.
The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities has also provided materials that may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry - click here.
Catholic Mobilizing Network released their 2025 respect life month toolkit. You can access it here.
For a month-long, interactive parish activity, consider implementing the USCCB's Respect Life Bulletin Board. Instructions for creating this can be found here. For a modification to use in homes or at schools, click here.
Pray Catholic Mobilizing Network's Annual Novena to End the Death Penalty (in anticipation of World Day Against the Death Penalty-10/10).
Pray a Respect Life Month Novena | The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities sends the novena by email annually October 22-30, but it can be prayed at any time.
Child & Youth Protection
Our promise to protect, our pledge to heal.
To report an abuse, please contact local law enforcement and:
Kathleen McComb, Victim Assistance Coordinator
Response Services – 216-334-2999
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland © 2025
Subscribe! Sign up to receive news & updates.
1 of 22