Working to promote the dignity of human life has become more difficult in the past year but those doing the work – particularly diocesan pro-life directors – must not get discouraged. They must persevere. That was the message conveyed by Philadelphia’s Cardinal Justin Rigali and echoed by Cardinal George at an annual conference for pro-life directors sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Respect Life Office hosted this year’s event held Aug. 10-13 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in downtown Chicago. “Your work of respecting, protecting, loving and serving life is often misunderstood in today’s culture. Yet it is work that is desperately needed,” Cardinal Rigali told attendees during the homily at Mass on Aug. 10. The cardinal serves as chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-life Activities.