All life is sacred, for every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. This foundational teaching of our Church is at the heart of our commitment to defend and advocate for every human life from the moment of conception to natural death. We are called upon to pursue this commitment using all available means including prayer, education, pastoral care, and public policy advocacy. Our Family and Respect Life Office is entrusted with the critical task of guiding and supporting all these efforts in the Diocese of Fall River. For it is imperative that all work together -ministries and parishes, clergy and lay faithful- to foster a culture of life, that is, a society that upholds the dignity of every human being, born and unborn, young and old, sick or healthy, especially the most vulnerable among us.+ Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.