Contact: John Mallon, Human Life International, 405-720-2575, johnmallon@cox.net

FRONT ROYAL, Va., Oct. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, STL, president of Human Life International, (HLI) today thanked Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, Mass. for his strong stand over Holy Cross College renting space for a conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy featuring workshops presented by members of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.

Father Euteneuer said, "In a time when far too many scandals go unaddressed in our Catholic institutions it is very encouraging to see a bishop take a bold stand in defense of his people and the integrity of the Church."

Bishop McManus, saying he received numerous complaints about the upcoming conference, issued a statement on his diocesan website saying, "As Bishop of Worcester, it is my pastoral and canonical responsibility to determine what institutions can properly call themselves 'Catholic.' … The moral teaching of the Catholic Church on respect for life at all stages of its development is manifestly clear.  Life is a fundamental good that must be protected and respected from the moment of fertilization to natural death."

The bishop continued, "Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice are notorious for their policies and practices that directly reject the Church's teaching on artificial contraception and abortion. The College of the Holy Cross should recognize that any association with these groups can create the situation of offering scandal understood in its proper theological sense, i.e., an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil."

The Bishop expressed his wish that "the college can continue to be recognized as a Catholic institution committed to promoting the moral teaching of the Roman Catholic Church."

Father Euteneuer said, "We can expect assaults on human life, Catholic faith and teaching to increase, especially as the national elections approach. I thank God and take courage from the stand taken by Bishop McManus, who heard the cry of his people. Thank you, Bishop McManus."

Founded in 1981, Human Life International is the world's largest pro-life, pro-family organization that is dedicated to defending life, faith and the family, with branches and affiliates around the world.