On February 24-25, HLI and its Hispanic Division, Vida Humana Internacional (VHI), celebrated in Miami a very successful international bilingual conference, titled "Building the Culture of Life in the Third Millennium". Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora's visit Saturday morning, was a blessing to all participants.

HLI's president, Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, keynoted the sessions with "The Gates of Hell Shall not Prevail". In his talk he pointed out that to be effective, we have to work at the personal level, but also at a greater level. He said that Christ and His Mother are there to sustain us, that truth and love are on our side and that prayer is our source of apostolic zeal and action. Everyone was greatly informed, enlightened and encouraged by his words. VHI thanks Father for his valuable help and for his inspiring presence during the entire conference.

Dr. Judith Reisman, famous for denouncing Kinsey's fraudulent and immoral "sex studies" in the 50's and 60's, gave two brilliant talks. In her talk on Kinsey she mentioned the use by him in his experiments with children, of a number of convicted sex aggressors, pedophiles and homosexuals. In her other talk, Dr. Reisman explained how the media presents pornography and sexual abuse; something which is not legally controlled in the U.S., unless you bring each case to court.

Dr. Janet Smith, who teaches philosophy at the University of Dallas and is the author of several books including "Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later", presented this magnificent encyclical in an easy way to understand. She explained that interpersonal communion and procreation in the conjugal act, are both gifts from God to the spouses. She said that contraception is a falsification of the spouses' mutual and total self-giving, because it rejects the fruit of their love: children. Dr. Smith also affirmed that contraceptive chemicals and hormones not only damage the health of the woman, but also abort the newly conceived life.

Dr. Rafael Cabrera, an ObGyn who is the president of ANPROVIDA and of the Nicaraguan Medical Association, gave new insights on Natural Family Planning (NFP). His vast experience as physician, professor and pro-life leader in his country, makes him one of the best speakers in Latin America. His talk was based on documents of various Popes and Councils and on how the scientific evidence supports the goodness and beauty of NFP. He also spoke on the harms of contraception. During the panel of international leaders, he explained how successful his pro-life group ANPROVIDA (HLI's Nicaragua affiliate), has been in stopping abortion in his country.

Dr. Carmen Gómez Lavín, a psychiatrist, professor of medicine and vice-president of Spain's Pro-Life Federation, shed new light on understanding adolescents. In her talk about post- abortion syndrome (PAS), she explained how abortion affects women emotionally, causing depression, nightmares and suicidal thoughts.

Dr. Luis Raez, a Peruvian oncologist who is a member of the faculty at the University of Miami and coordinator for the U.S. of the Christian Life Movement, explained how a correct palliative care is an alternative to the crime of euthanasia.

Dr. Jesús Arina, a Miami psychologist, spoke on domestic violence and the dignity of women, who need help and assistance, when caught in this vicious circle of violence. He pointed out that the aggressor needs help as well. He said that violence always affects others around too (especially the children), and sometimes it costs the victim her or his life.

Mrs. Magaly Llaguno, executive director of Vida Humana Internacional, HLI's Hispanic Division, gave a very informative and inspiring talk. She said that the history of feminism shows that although the founders promoted women's equal dignity and human rights, it deviated into an anti-life agenda that harms true womanhood and humanity itself. Radical feminism today has allied itself with worldwide "population control" and "reproductive health" organizations like IPPF, UNFPA, in promoting contraception, abortion, and homosexuality, she affirmed. She explained that some of these radical feminists even call themselves "Catholics",in order to attack the Church from inside through organizations like Catholics for a Free Choice.

The atmosphere during the event was one of learning, sharing and prayer. The conference ended on Sunday with a Mass at noon, celebrated by Miami's Auxiliary Bishop Gilberto Fernández, who inaugurated VHI's office several years ago. "Coral Cubana", a 20 voice choir, enhanced the liturgy and solemnity of the Eucharist. HLI's president Father Thomas Euteneuer concelebrated the Mass, as well as Father Argenis, a priest from La Guaira, Venezuela, who was instrumental in opening a crisis pregnancy center there. After the conference, Father Argenis and three young women volunteers who work with him, stayed for training at VHI's Miami office.

This conference will make history in the Miami Archdiocese and in Florida. It has inspired a new awareness about the urgency and importance of the pro-life\family apostolic work of the Church.