Respect Life Club Hopes to Gain Recognition

By: Lindsay Little
Posted In: News

At this summer’s freshman orientation series, students were asked to complete a questionnaire that contained a question that, on any non-catholic campus, would be considered rather provocative.

The survey asked for interest in the possibility of establishing a Pro-life student organization at Salve. After the questionnaires had been processed, the students who expressed interest were contacted by one of the primary catalysts of a recent revolution of new student religious life on campus – Father John Codega.

Through Father’s communication with the students, a group of students are now awaiting approval by the Student Life Committee to become recognized among the more than 30 student clubs and organizations that already exist at the school.

The club would not be a religious club, but rather a club that appreciates, as Father Codega says, “respect for all life as a civil liberties issue.” He also notes that, for some, this issue might also be a religious one.

Casandra Tracy, a freshman double Elementary Education and Theatre Major, has assumed the responsibility of Club President. She credited Father Codega with the idea to establish a forum for students to discuss “respect life” issues.

Tracy recalls “He felt it was important for students to talk about issues that affect our society.”

Tracy, who was not raised under a specific religious faith but recently joined the Catholic church, says that there is no defining experience that determined her pro-life status. Her decision to help create the RLC was solely based on her overall respect for life.

Says Tracy, “I want people to be aware of the decisions that they make and the consequences that come from those decisions and realize what a gift we have been given in the form of our lives.”

If recognized as a club, Respect Life will host awareness activities on campus. Committees have already been formed to plan these events. Current group members have expressed hope to do community service activities in the Newport area, such as helping in shelters.

They have also tentatively planned a trip to attend the Pro-life march in Washington, D. C. this January. And Tracy noted, as soon as they are considered a club, Respect Life will be meeting every other Wednesday in Wakehurst at 6 pm.

As expressed by Tracy, the unofficial mission of the RLC is to “inform people how to respect their lives and the lives of others.” Some issues, Tracy noted, “may seem controversial, but hopefully they will start discussions around campus and people will be able to make informed decisions that will benefit themselves and others.”

The RLC will not be solely focused on anti-abortion awareness. As evident in the name, the members of the group are more focused on an overall respect for human life. For some people, that means not having abortions, and for this reason the issue will be addressed.

The students supporting RLC believe that there is a need for a club like it in the Salve community. As Tracy expressed, “too many people see respecting life as going against the norm, when in reality it’s making waves across the country.” RLC supporters are hoping to become a part of the movement.