History of the Cardinal O’Connor Conference
Traditionally held on the day before or after the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., the Conference was first held in 2000 and later named in honor of His Eminence John Cardinal O’Connor, the late Archbishop of New York and a Georgetown University alumnus. Cardinal O’Connor was renowned for his courage as a champion of the unborn, and the Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life seeks to continue his mission of defending the sacredness of all human life. Each year, you will get to listen to leading voices in the pro-life movement, participate in small group discussions, meet other collegiate pro-life leaders, and enjoy the aura of being in our nation’s capital during the March for Life.
2025 - Life and Dignity: A Global Commitment
Director: Maria Victoria Almeida Vazquez
Rev. Thomas King Award: Ravens Respect Life, Benedictine College
Keynote Speaker: Lila Rose
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Roy Edward Campbell
In the News: The Hoya - Anti-Abortion Activists Gather at Annual Conference Amid Concerns for Support
2019 - Pro-Life Priorities: Advancing a Culture of Life
Directors: Julia Greenwood and Madeleine Ostertag
Rev. Thomas King Award: Marquette for Life, Marquette University
Keynote Speaker: Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Mario Dorsonville
2017 - Working Toward a Truly Pro-Life Politics
Directors: Jeannette Joly and Michael Khan
Rev. Thomas King Award: The Life Club, Wheeling Jesuit University
Keynote Speaker: Reggie Littlejohn
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Barry Knestout
2015 - The End of Intelligent Debate? How to Address Pro-Life Issues in the Modern Sphere
Directors: Evelyn Flashner and Spencer Crawford
Rev. Thomas King Award: St. Louis University Students for Life, St. Louis University
Keynote Speaker: Sean Cardinal O’Malley
Mass for Life Celebrant: Archbishop Joseph Kurtz
2013 - Women Leaders of the Pro-Life Movement
Directors: Kevin Sullivan and Kelly Thomas
Rev. Thomas King Award: Choose Life at Yale, Yale University
Keynote Speaker: Helen Alvare
Mass for Life Celebrant: Donald Cardinal Wuerl
2009 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Jennifer M. Kueler
Evangelium Vitae Award: Carolina Students for Life, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Keynote Speakers: Margaret Colin and Dr. Robert George
Mass for Life Celebrant: Francis Cardinal George
2005 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Timothy J. Foley
Keynote Speakers: Kristen Day and Serrin Foster
2024 - Discerning the Next 25 Years
Directors: Julian Jimenez and Maria Victoria Almeida Vazquez
Rev. Thomas King Award: Right to Life, Notre Dame University
Keynote Speaker: Sean Cardinal O’Malley
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop William Lori
In the News: The Hoya - Annual Anti-Abortion Conference Sparks Campus Discourse
2022 - A Life of the Mind for the Life of the World
Directors: Savannah Willard and Matteo Caufield
Rev. Thomas King Award: University of Chicago Students for Life, University of Chicago
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Robert Barron
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Mario Dorsonville
2020 - The Consistent Life Ethic and the Law
Directors: Madeleine Ostertag and Luke Lamey
Rev. Thomas King Award: Celts for Life, University of St. Thomas
Keynote Speakers: Sr. Bethany Madonna, S.V. and Dr. Jonathan Reyes
Mass for Life Celebrant: Archbishop Wilton Gregory
2016 - Whose Choice?
Directors: Spencer Crawford and Jeannette Joly
Rev. Thomas King Award: Advocates for Life, Assumption College
Keynote Speaker: Reggie Littlejohn
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Martin Holley
2014 - Publicly Pro-Life: Why Abortion Is Not a Private Issue
Directors: Kelly Thomas and Evelyn Flashner
Rev. Thomas King Award: Students for Life, Marquette University
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert George
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Michael Barber
2012 - The Past and Future of Pro-Life Legislation
Directors: Katherine Schmitz and Kevin Sullivan
Rev. Thomas King Award: Students for Life at the University of Michigan, University of Michigan
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Charles J. Chaput
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop William Lori
2010 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Caitlin M. Devine
Rev. Thomas King Award: Respect Life, Fordham University
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Alveda King and Scott Klusendorf
Mass for Life Celebrant: Fr. James V. Schall
2008 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Steven M. Picciano
Evangelium Vitae Award: Respect Life, Fordham University
Keynote Speakers: Deirdre McQuade and Archbishop Raymond Burke
Mass for Life Celebrant: Archbishop Donald Wuerl
2006 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Kara Banahan
Evangelium Vitae Award: Students for Life, University of New Hampshire
Keynote Speakers: Mother Agnes Mary Donovan and Jennifer O’Neill
2002 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Stephen M. Feiler
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Wanda Franz and Rep. Chris Smith
2000 - College Student Conference on Life
Director: Stephen M. Feiler
Keynote Speakers: Helen Alvaré and Rep. Henry Hyde