Hundreds of pro-lifers gathered in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 22-24 September 2000, to celebrate the Second International Conference on Life, Love and the Family. The conference was organized by Pro-Vida Guadalajara and Vida Humana Internacional (VHI), Human Life International's Miami-based Hispanic Division. The more than 700 participants were mostly leaders from various Catholic Church apostolates. Leaders from the main pro-life organization in Mexico, Comite Nacional Pro-Vida de Mexico (National Pro-Life Committee), came from Mexico City to participate and give talks. Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, spiritual moderator of the Respect Life office in the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla (now HLI president), and this writer -Adolfo J. Castañeda - VHI's director of education, who also traveled to Mexico to give talks.

The conference was also honored to receive His Eminence Juan Cardinal Sandoval lñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara, a great defender of life and a long-time friend of Human Lite International. The cardinal gave his full support and blessing to the conference and also gave an impressive talk about the historical genesis of the Culture of Death, as well as how to defeat it and build the Culture of Life.

The theme of the conference was "Building the Culture of Life," and it served as a follow-up to the previous such conference. Among the main topics addressed were: the new threats and strategies against life and family and their refutations; chastity and young people; pro-abortion feminism and domestic violence; physical and psychological consequences of abortion and contraception for women; post- abortion healing; the family and Christian renewal; how parents should love their children; and the ultimate triumph of Christ and His Church over the Culture of Death.

I gave two talks at the conference and several at various Catholic universities. I spoke about the most common anti-life/family strategies in place now : "reproductive health," "emergency contraception," "safe motherhood," etc; as well as their refutations. I also denounced the promoters of said strategies, including International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Catholics For a Free Choice, the United Nations, etc. He explained the work of VHI, participated in two radio interviews and conducted training sessions. Hundreds of pounds of educational materials sent by VHI were delivered to the local pro-life leaders.

Two courageous and tireless pro- lifers, Dr. Francisco Martinez and his wife Dr. Maria Martinez, coordinators of Pro-Vida Guadalajara, were the soul of this conference. They are also a driving force in the pro-life movement in Guadalajara and run a local pregnancy center. HLI and VHI sincerely congratulate them for their work on behalf of life and family.

Last but certainly not least we must mention Mr. Jorge Serrano Limon, the president of Comite Nacional Pro-Vida of Mexico, who also gave an important talk at the conference. On the last day of the conference, 24 September, Jorge was in Mexico City leading an important pro-life march. Tens of thousands of participants protested the legalization of abortion in certain cases. In August of this year, Jorge was physically attacked at the legislature in Mexico City by pro-abortion fanatics, who also burned several pro-life banners. This is not the first time that Jorge and his wonderful pro-life team have been threatened and/or attacked. Vandals broke into the Committee's headquarters in Mexico City last year, painted anti-life slogans on the wall, poured red paint on Jorge's office chair and thrust a knife through it. They left a sign on the wall of his office in red paint which read : "You are dead." Please pray for the safety of all Mexican pro-lifers! Please also pray for Mexico, which is under heavy attack from the anti-life forces.