Respect Life Month is observed every October by the Church in the United States, beginning with Respect Life Sunday, which takes place this year on Oct. 1. These events kick off the 2017-18 Respect Life Program. The theme for this year is “Be Not Afraid” and will be in effect through September 2018. The American Catholic bishops initiated Respect Life Sunday in 1972, the year before the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the United States. Since that time, Catholics across the country observe the month of October with devotions and pro-life activities in order to advance the culture of life. New materials are produced each year to help Catholics understand, value and become engaged with supporting the God-given dignity of every person. The Respect Life Program materials are available at http://bit.ly/ZO9Tp3