CHICAGO (March 7, 2005) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, and Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., Director of Education and Staff Ethicist of The National Catholic Bioethics Center, will be key participants in a special conference on life issues that will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, at Northridge Prep High School, 8320 Ballard Rd., Niles.

Entitled, “The Gospel of Life: Celebrating Ten Years,” the conference will feature political and ethical debate on stem cells and cloning. Hosted by the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the conference is co-sponsored by the six Catholic dioceses in Illinois

Cardinal George will respond to questions concerning the encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, the “Gospel of Life,” written by Pope John Paul II a decade ago while Fr. Pacholczyk will offer an explanation of the Gospel of Life’s implications for stem cell use and cloning along with an understanding of the scientific issues and moral objections involved.

Fr. Pacholczyk, who is also a parish priest in Falmouth, MA., has emerged as a leading spokesman of the Catholic Church’s opposition to cloning and embryonic stem cell research. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University and did post-doctoral research at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He earned degrees in advanced theology and bioethics in Rome and has testified at state legislative hearings and given presentations on stem cells, cloning and other biotechnologies throughout the U.S. and in Europe.

In addition, those attending the conference, many of whom are Respect Life Coordinators at the parish level, will hear addresses by Cathy Cleaver-Ruse, Esq., Director of Planning and Information for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, and Robert Gilligan, Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the legislative arm of the bishops of Illinois.

The conference is open to the public, and there is a $25 fee for adults, $15 for high school and college students. More information can be found at www.archchicago.org.