Office of Social Justice and Respect Life - Archdiocese of Santa Fe

11/26/2025

10/01/2025

Every October, the Church in the U.S. celebrates Respect Life Month. We reflect on the gift of every human life and how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. See the bulletin for more information.

09/09/2025

Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities
St. Peter Claver was a Jesuit missionary from Spain who, in the 1600s, served and ministered to captured and enslaved Africans as they were taken off the slave ships landing in South America. St. Peter Claver desired to offer his life as “a slave of the slaves.”1
The U.S. Catholic bishops suggest that parishes “could use the National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities, which falls on the feast of St. Peter Claver (September 9), to organize activities that foster community, dialogue, and reconciliation. These encounters will help open our minds and hearts more fully and continue the healing needed in our communities and our nation.”2

07/09/2025

REMINDER

Local Faith Communities to Host Interfaith Vigil for the 80th Anniversary of the Trinity Atomic Test, Calling for Global Nuclear Weapons Abolition

July 13, 2025 | 2:30 p.m
St. Pius X School - St. Cecilia (Fine Arts Building)
5301 St. Joseph's Dr. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120

Albuquerque, NM—Wednesday, July 9, 2025--IMMEDIATE RELEASE--To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the first detonation of an atomic weapon in 1945 at the nearby Trinity Test Site, the complete elimination of nuclear weapons must be prioritized. We are locked into a second nuclear arms race in which New Mexico again plays a crucial role. After 80 years, it is way past time that the nuclear powers honor their promise to get rid of the world’s most dangerous weapons.

"80 Years and Still Waiting: An Interfaith Remembrance of the Trinity Test" will take place at St. Pius X School's Fine Arts Building (5301 St. Joseph's Dr. NW) and feature music, speakers, exhibitions, and moments of reflection and prayer. The free public event is Sunday, July 13, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 2 p.m., and pre-registration is encouraged. The event will also be live-streamed.

Eighty years ago, the government did not warn or evacuate the estimated tens of thousands of people living within a 50-mile radius of the Trinity Test blast. "We don't ask IF we'll get cancer; we ask WHEN it will be our turn," says Tina Cordova, event co-organizer and co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium.

In 1990, Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provided compensation only to downwinders in a limited area near the Nevada Test Site. Survivors of the world's first atomic bomb in New Mexico, who are disproportionately Native and Hispanic, have never been eligible—the benefits provided by this program ended June 7, 2024. However, language was included in the budget reconciliation bill that expands the provisions of RECA and extends it for two years. For the first time, our New Mexico Downwinders and the post-71 uranium miners will be covered. While this is a breakthrough, the fight is not over. Two years will likely not be enough time to enroll all affected New Mexicans. We need a more permanent fix.

Melissa Parke, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), will be the keynote speaker. ICAN was the 2017 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Additional speakers include Dr. Ira Helfand (Immediate Past President, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; ICAN), Eddie Laiche (Students for Nuclear Disarmament), Tina Cordova (Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium), Jay Coghlan (Executive Director, Nuclear Watch New Mexico), Most Reverend John C. Wester (Archbishop of Santa Fe), and Adin Strauss (General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA). Topics addressed include the human and environmental impacts of nuclear testing in New Mexico, the growing national Back from the Brink movement, how young people are engaging with these issues, the role of hope and faith as we face growing nuclear threats, and what we can do now.

The event is organized by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Interfaith Power and Light (NM-EP), New Mexico Conference of Churches, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Soka Gakkai International-USA, the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, and the Back from the Brink New Mexico Hub. For more information, call the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's Office of Social Justice and Respect Life at 505.831.8205. Pre-register at jotform.com/build/251126623369053, where you will also find the live-stream link.

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05/13/2025

New Mexican-made documentary film, is winning awards from Austin, TX to Paris, France!

Click Here to view the Trailer.
https://vimeo.com/878337794/a575bb471a

Here are the links for ordering tickets:

Matinee Showing: https://artsandculture.cabq.gov/9897/989
Evening Showing: https://artsandculture.cabq.gov/9897/9899

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day!

05/05/2025

ARCHDIOCESE OF SANTA FE
4000 ST. JOSEPH'S PLACE N.W.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87120
ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION AVAILABILITY

POSITION TITLE: Administrative Assistant, Office of Social Justice and Respect Life
DIVISION: Pastoral Ministries
CONTACT: HR Director, 505-831-8130 or email at [email protected]

Paid Faith and Justice Internship available in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Catholic? Interested in fighting poverty? Be an Intern with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)!

Go to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Website for information and to apply.

04/30/2025

Local Faith Communities to Host Interfaith Vigil for the 80th Anniversary of the Trinity Atomic Test, Calling for Global Nuclear Weapons Abolition

Albuquerque, NM—Thursday, May 1, 2025–IMMEDIATE RELEASE–To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the first detonation of an atomic weapon on July 16, 1945, at the Trinity Test Site in southern New Mexico, the complete elimination of nuclear weapons must be prioritized. “80 Years and Still Waiting: An Interfaith Remembrance of the Trinity Test” will be held at St. Pius X School, located in Albuquerque at 5301 St. Joseph’s Dr. NW, featuring music, speakers, exhibitions, and moments of reflection and prayer. The free public event will be held July 13, from 2:30–5 p.m. Doors open at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. The event will also be live-streamed.

Eighty years ago, the government did not warn or evacuate the estimated tens of thousands living within a 50-mile radius of the Trinity Test blast. The detonation produced more heat and light than the sun, generating radioactive ash that fell for days. The communities downwind of the blast saw a spike in infant deaths in the months after the explosion, and generations later continue to suffer its harmful effects. “We don’t ask IF we’ll get cancer; we ask WHEN it will be our turn,” said Tina Cordova, event co-organizer and co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. “The government basically walked away from the people of New Mexico and has taken no responsibility for all the sacrifice, suffering, and dying.”

Melissa Parke, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), will be a featured speaker. ICAN was the 2017 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe and author of the pastoral letter, "Living in the Light of Christ's Peace: A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament," said, “We can no longer deny or ignore the extremely dangerous predicament of our human family. We are in a new nuclear arms race, and I believe we need to rejuvenate a sustained, serious conversation about universal, verifiable nuclear disarmament.”

Each year, the Department of Energy (DOE) spends around $10 billion in the Land of Enchantment, roughly equal to New Mexico’s entire state operating budget. Seventy-five percent of that DOE money is for nuclear weapons research, production programs, and dumping radioactive wastes. In particular, this involves expanded production at Los Alamos National Laboratory of plutonium “pit” bomb cores for new nuclear weapons.

Topics at the event will include the status of nuclear weapons programs in New Mexico, the harmful effects of uranium mining, the human and environmental impacts of nuclear testing, the growing national Back from the Brink movement, how young people are engaging with these issues, the role of hope and faith as we face growing nuclear threats, and what we can do now.

The event is organized by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Interfaith Power and Light (NM-EP), Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Soka Gakkai International-USA, and the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. For more information, call the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s Office of Social Justice and Respect Life at 505.831.8205. Pre-register at jotform.com/build/251126623369053, where you will also find the livestream link

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04/23/2025

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe African American Catholic Community

33rd Anniversary Mass
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 12 noon
St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church
5901 St. Joseph Dr. NW, Albuquerque

Presider: Fr. Benjamin Onwumelu
Pastor, Sacred Heart Church Albuquerque

Or join us virtually. Mass will be live-streamed and recorded:
https://www.facebook.com/Masses-from-St-Joseph-on-the-Rio-Grande-112836890430507

Donations can be mailed to the AACC at 4000 St. Joseph Pl. NW ABQ, NM 87120 with AACC on memo line or made securely online at https://archdiocesesantafegiving.org/AACC.

For more information, please call 505-401-8983
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Office of Social Justice and Respect Life
505-831-8205

Live streaming Masses for Sundays and Feast Days

04/22/2025

Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, on
The Passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis
Memorial Mass of the Dead for Pope Francis
Monday, April 21, 2025, at 6 p.m.

ALBUQUERQUE – Easter Monday, April 21, 2025–IMMEDIATE RELEASE— A statement from Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, on the Passing of Pope Francis:

It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I address you today in the wake of the passing of our beloved Pope Francis. His departure marks the end of an era filled with compassion, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the teachings of Christ.

Pope Francis was a shepherd to us all, guiding the Church with a gentle spirit and a fierce commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being. His emphasis on mercy and inclusivity transformed countless lives and inspired a renewed sense of hope within the global community. Through his actions and words, he reminded us of the importance of caring for the marginalized and standing up for the voiceless.

As we grieve the loss of our Holy Father, let us also celebrate his remarkable life and extraordinary contributions. His legacy will continue to illuminate our path as we strive to embody the values he championed. In this time of mourning, I urge all the faithful to come together in prayer, reflecting on the profound impact Pope Francis has had on our lives and the Church.

May we honor his memory by committing ourselves to the mission he so passionately lived out: to proclaim the Gospel, to spread love, foster peace, and serve those in need. Let us pray for the repose of his soul and seek comfort in our shared faith.

Archbishop Wester will celebrate a Memorial Mass of the Dead for Pope Francis today, Monday, April 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe. All are invited to attend.

04/06/2025

This introductory webinar recording is for those who want to help their parish share Christ’s message of mercy, especially with those who suffer from participation in an abortion.
USCCB staff walk through the website and materials available, explaining how the tools above can help parishes spread the message of Divine Mercy with those most in need of healing.

This introductory webinar is for those who want to help their parish share Christ’s message of mercy, especially with those who suffer from the wounds of abo...