Phone Number: (407) 658-1818 (x1085) Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm (Monday-Friday) Contact Us Locations: Catholic Charities of Central Florida – Main Office Who We Are The Culture of Life Office seeks to transform and build a society where every human being is valued and protected. Human life is a precious gift from God; each person who receives this gift has responsibilities to God, self, and others; and society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence. This is accomplished through the practice of the four pillars set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): prayer, education, pastoral care, and public policy efforts. We educate and inspire people throughout the Diocese of Orlando to understand the truth about why and how we are created in God’s image of love as prescribed in Saint John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae. “Human persons are willed by God; they are imprinted with God’s image. Their dignity does not come from the work they do, but from the persons they are.” Pope St. John Paul II Protecting Life at Every Stage You are not alone. Get connected with the help, support, and resources you need. These may include: counseling, housing, financial, food assistance, clothing, baby supplies and more. Adoption Resources Catholic Charities offers services to help parents who may be considering adopting a child or birth parents facing an untimely pregnancy who may want to consider adoption planning. Services include: pregnancy counseling, medical and living expenses, as well as post-adoption counseling and support. For adoption services, please visit Catholic Charities Adoption Services. End of Life Care The ending of life is a sacred moment, before passing through the threshold into eternity. To learn more about how to plan this time for yourself and your loved ones with peace, confidence, and human dignity please click HERE. Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources Pro-Life Events The Annual National March for Life is the single largest annual gathering of pro-life advocates in the world, drawing millions of marchers since it was established in 1974. It is held on (or near) the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision, which made abortion legal in this country for nearly 50 years prior to being overturned. The event peacefully protests the human rights abuse of abortion and advocates a culture of life in the United States. A Mass for Life (January 19, 2024) will be held locally at The Basilica of the National Shrine Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando. The annual Florida Culture of Life Conference (October 13-14, 2023) is an informative and uplifting event that includes speakers on a variety of topics, including abortion, end of life and the death penalty. The location of the conference rotates between the seven dioceses of Florida. All ministry leaders, parishioners and community members who seek to become more effective witnesses to the culture of life are invited to this special event. Pregnancy Resources If you are in need of immediate support for an unexpected pregnancy, visit heartbeatinternational.org. Below is a list of local pregnancy centers within our diocese that have been vetted by the Culture of Life Office. They assist women facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer or refer for free pregnancy test and ultrasounds, counseling, material & emotional support, medical care, educational programs, housing referrals, support groups, and more. Brevard Melbourne Pregnancy Resources Merritt Island Agape Pregnancy Center Palm Bay Essential Pregnancy Center (EPC) Titusville Pregnancy Care Center at BETA Lake Clermont Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic Eustis Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic Leesburg Pregnancy and Family Care Center Marion Ocala Alpha Center for Women Orange Apopka Apopka Pregnancy Care Center Orlando Choices Women’s Clinic Orlando First Life Center for Pregnancy Orlando JMJ Pregnancy Center Winter Park The Pregnancy Center of Winter Park Osceola Kissimmee Beyond Pregnancy Care Kissimmee JMJ Pregnancy Center Kissimmee Osceola Pregnancy Center Polk Lakeland A Woman’s Choice Lake Wales Choices Pregnancy Care Winter Haven LifeChoice Pregnancy Center Seminole Oviedo (near UCF) Choices Women’s Clinic Altamonte Springs Life Choices Medical Clinic Sanford The Pregnancy Center of Sanford Volusia Deltona Central Florida Pregnancy Center Deland Coastal Choices Women’s Clinic (formerly Grace House Pregnancy Center) New Smyrna Beach Coastal Choices Women’s Clinic (formerly Grace House Pregnancy Center) Daytona Beach Resources for Women Rejecting the Death Penalty “The dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform.” –Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 1995 Additional Resources United States conference of Catholic Bishops Resources Catholic Mobilizing Network Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources Information on Cities for Life If your parish participates in Cities for Life, please contact the Culture of Life Office (select “Human Dignity” as the service area) with details of your event (Date & Time) so they can be included on the FCCB site. Post-Abortive Healing Project Rachel provides healing to men and women who have been emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually impacted by an abortion. Abortion can significantly impact every relationship someone has; including couples, grandparents, children, and other family members. It is a diocesan-based network of specially trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those affected in the aftermath of an abortion. The ministry provides pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats, and referrals to licensed mental health professionals. It is open to people of all faiths or of no faith. Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are held in a safe place to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by abortion, offering help for all who seek God’s mercy, healing, and love. By providing a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental environment, women and men can express, release, and reconcile painful emotions to begin their journey of forgiveness, healing, and hope. You are not alone. Retreats are available in English and Spanish. If you or someone you know has been impacted by an abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available through the Diocese of Orlando Project Rachel helpline. Confidential Helpline: call/text (407) 222-8584 or EMAIL For additional resources, please visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Hope After Abortion (en Español).
