The JP II Project: Right to Life and Religious Freedom | International Catholic Jurists Forum

Throughout his pontificate, John Paul was a staunch advocate for the dignity and sanctity of life from the moment of conception to natural death, evidenced, among other things, by his 1995 Encyclical Evangelium Vitae on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life. He also cared deeply about religious freedom, and in particular, the physical and spiritual life of persecuted Christians given his background living under communism. He prayed for the aggressors and victims, called for peace and justice, preached forgiveness and reconciliation, ever understanding that evil never gets the last word. In the face of the ongoing atrocities against Christians, he exuded hope and courage, every knowing that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity, and the life-giving sap of unity in the body of Christ, recognizing in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente (TMA 37), that “the Church has become once again a Church of the martyrs.”

The International Catholic Jurists Forum (ICJF) interfaces with international scholars, experts, and government officials to build strategies to promote the right to life from conception to natural death and works to stop the persecution and genocide of Christians around the globe.

Right to Life Initiatives

The Documentary Saving a Life: Raw Stories from the Heart

The documentary, “Saving a Mircle: Raw Stories from the Heart,” with several different trailers, for example, here and here, includes testimonies of ICJF advisor Ave Maria University Professor Maria Federica and Dr. Jane Adolphe, Founder & Executive Director of ICJF.
The Documentary in Spanish “Valientes” (English: Brave Stories of Christian Faith in the Battle for Christian Principles)

According to the description on the Spanish website of “Valientes” as translated into English: “It is a new documentary that promises to move and challenge audiences with stories of individuals and institutions fighting to defend Christian principles around the world. This film gives voice to those, from Europe, America, and Africa, who tenaciously and courageously defend natural and Christian [principles] against the pressures of secularist and globalist agendas.”
The international seminar: “USA: Abortion is Not a Right: Protagonists of This Change Speak Out

This seminar was held in Madrid, Spain on the anniversary of the overturning of Roe. V. Wade. Among the speakers were John M. Klink (former Diplomat for the Holy See & for the United States Government and current member of the Board of Directors of the International Catholic Jurists Forum, ICJF), and Dr. Jane F. Adolphe, ICJF Founder & Executive Director.
2015 Statue for Unborn Children Gifted to Pope Francis

ICJF donated money to Family Life Council Inc. for the creation of a pro-life statue entitled “Memorial for Unborn Children” which was to be gifted to Pope Francis. The statue was sculpted by Slovakian sculptor Martin Hudacek and Family Life Council presented the statue to Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
2022 Rome Conference on Humanae Vitae

ICJF responded to the Pontifical Academy for Life’s Publication: Etica teologica della Vita. Scritture, tradizione, sfide pratiche that challenged key propositions endorsed by Humanae Vitae. The event was live streamed event , co-sponsored by Ave Maria School of Law, Ave Maria University, Ethics for Public Policy Center, Person & Identity Project.
2024: Book: Humanae Vitae: Catholic Sexual Morality (Sapienza Press: 2024), edited by Robert Fastiggi and Matthew Levering.

ICJF Director, Michael Vacca, frequently speaks about right to life issues in his presentations and podcasts

Initiatives on the Protection of Persecuted Christians:

2015: International Expert Meeting on "Equality and Non-discrimination: Catholic Roots, Current Challenges" held at Ave Maria School of Law, in Naples, Florida.

2019: Book: Equality and Non-discrimination: Catholic Roots, Current Challenges, edited by Jane F. Adolphe, Robert L. Fastiggi and Michael A. Vacca, (WIPF & Stock Publishers).

2016: International Expert Meeting on "The Persecution and Genocide of Christians in the Middle East held at Ave Maria School of Law, in Naples, Florida."

2017: Book: The Persecution and Genocide of Christians in the Middle East: Prevention, Prohibition, & Prosecution,” edited by Ronald Rychlak, and Jane F. Adolphe (Angelico Press).

2020: International Expert Meeting on "The Persecution and Genocide of Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa" co-sponsored by Ave Maria School of Law and the Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom and the Aid to the Church in Need, held at Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida

2021-2023: Global Prayer for China Campaign

The Global Week of Prayer was initiated in 2021 in response to the call of Cardinal Charles Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC). In 2022, following the arrest of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, Cardinal Bo renewed and strengthened his call, writing “I urge Christians of all traditions everywhere to pray for Hong Kong especially, and the Church in China, as well as the Uyghurs, Tibetans and others facing persecution in China, during that Week of prayer.” There are numerous resources, including video taped interviews and short trailers.