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Virtual world spreads archbishop’s pastoral letter message
Virtual world spreads archbishop’s pastoral letter message
VALERIE SCHMALZ
TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Zoom have played key roles in generating and facilitating conversations around Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone’s pastoral letter, “Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You: A Pastoral Letter on the Human Dignity of the Unborn, Holy Communion, and Catholics in Public Life.”
A week before the May 1 publication of the letter, the archbishop joined Twitter @ArchCordileone. Two weeks earlier, his first video condemning abortion and supporting women who are pregnant posted on TikTok @sf.lifeanddignity. A week later the archbishop had nearly 12,000 followers on Twitter and nearly 30,000 views of his videos on TikTok.
On May 28, a Zoom panel discussion with the archbishop will be moderated by Antonin Scalia Law School Professor Helen M. Alvaré on the topic of “Life in the Womb: The Preeminent Issue.” Cosponsored by the Archdiocese of San Francisco and Human Life Action, the event is free, with registration at IntheWomb.org and there will be an opportunity to submit questions via Zoom. It will also be streamed on Facebook @sflifeanddignity.
The moderator and panelists are nationally known experts and activists:
THE MODERATOR, ALVARÉ, is a law professor at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University. She
teaches family law, law and religion, and property law. She publishes on matters concerning marriage, parenting, non-marital households, and the First Amendment religion clauses.
PANELIST KRISTAN HAWKINS is president of Students for Life of America since 2006 and has led a grassroots activist organization that has established Students for Life groups at campuses nationwide. Among her publications is the book, “Courageous: Students Abolishing Abortion in This Lifetime,” 2012.
PANELIST LILA ROSE is founder of the human rights non-profit Live Action. As an undercover journalist, Rose recorded Planned Parenthood employees advising purportedly underage girls on getting abortion and ignoring cases of sexual abuse. Rose just this month published “Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World.”
PANELIST KATHY FOLAN is a birth mother and prolife speaker. Folan is a wife, mother and director of family and youth ministry at St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco.
PANELIST NATHAN SULLIVAN is an engineer and Kathy’s son, who she placed with a Catholic family in an open adoption more than 30 years ago.
VALERIE SCHMALZ is the director of the archdiocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity.