Pictured (from left): Mary Lou Peters, Pro-Life Ministry; Richard M. Doerflinger, Deputy Director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Sister Frances Zajac, FSE. (Photo courtesty of Mary Lou Peters)

MERIDEN, CT (03-23-2005) - Sister Frances Zajac, FSE, attended a conference in Rome, Italy, March 7-8, on issues of stem cell research. A pro-life advocate generously provided the airfare and conference fee for Sister's participation. She joined Mary Lou Peters, a Franciscan Apprentice and staff member of the Pro-Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford for the event.

The Global State of Stem Cells & Cloning in Science, Ethics & Law conference included presentations and dialogue from the foremost experts in the field. It provided a first and unique opportunity for these experts to learn and question each other.

Sister Frances, a secondary school science teacher, is a frequent presenter on scientific aspects of life issues. She has helped a number of youth groups and parish groups understand scientific questions that arise in the debate over stem cell research.

The following organizations sponsored the conference: Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, Culture of Life Foundation, Discovery Institute, Ethics and Public Policy Center, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies and Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University.