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.
2026 - The Pro-Life Mission After Birth: A Lifelong Devotion
Senior Directors: Elizabeth Oliver & Leah Raymond
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. Award: UMary Collegians for Life, University of Mary
Keynote Speaker: Jennie Bradley Lichter
Mass for Life Celebrant: Rev. Sean Hagerty, S.J.
In the News: The Hoya - GU Holds Annual Anti-Abortion Conference Amid Student Protests
2023 - Next Steps: Humanizing Our Political System
Directors: Matteo Caulfield, Julian Jimenez, & Maria Victoria Almeida Vazquez
Rev. Thomas King Award, S.J.: University of St. Thomas, Houston
Keynote Speaker: Jeanne Mancini
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Joseph Perry
2021 - Global Pro-Life Approaches in the 21st Century
Directors: Luke Lamey & Joey Yacovone
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. Award: Students for Life, Boston College
Keynote Speaker: Aimee Murphy
Mass for Life Celebrant: Bishop Roy Campbell, Jr.
2019 - Pro-Life Priorities: Advancing a Culture of Life
Directors: Julia Greenwood & Madeleine Ostertag
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Michael Khan
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Spencer Crawford
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Kelly Thomas
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. Award: Choose Life at Yale, Yale University
Keynote Speaker: Helen Alvare
Mass for Life Celebrant: Donald Cardinal Wuerl
2011 - Building a Culture of Life Today: Learning from the Life and Legacy of Cardinal O’Connor
Director: Brigid M. Bower
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. Award: Villanovans for Life, Villanova University
Keynote Speaker: Lila Rose
Mass for Life Celebrant: Francis Cardinal George
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 & Dr. Robert George
Mass for Life Celebrant: Francis Cardinal George
2007 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Bridget K. Bowes
Evangelium Vitae Award: Students for Life, Saint Louis University
Keynote Speakers: Carl Anderson & Helen Alvare
2005 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Timothy J. Foley
Keynote Speakers: Kristen Day & Serrin Foster
2001 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Stephen M. Feiler
Keynote Speakers: Rep. Joseph Pitts & Cathleen Cleaver
2024 - Discerning the Next 25 Years
Directors: Julian Jimenez & Maria Victoria Almeida Vazquez
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Matteo Caulfield
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Luke Lamey
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. Award: Celts for Life, University of St. Thomas
Keynote Speakers: Sr. Bethany Madonna, S.V. & Dr. Jonathan Reyes
Mass for Life Celebrant: Archbishop Wilton Gregory
2018 - (Ir)religiously Pro-Life: The Future of the Movement in a Secular World
Directors: Michael Khan & Julia Greenwood
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. Award: Holy Cross Students for Life, College of the Holy Cross
Keynote Speaker: Lila Rose
Mass for Life Celebrant: Archbishop Leonard Blair
2016 - Whose Choice?
Directors: Spencer Crawford & Jeannette Joly
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Evelyn Flashner
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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 & Kevin Sullivan
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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, S.J. Award: Respect Life, Fordham University
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Alveda King & 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 & 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 & Jennifer O’Neill
2004 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Kirk C. Syme
Keynote Speakers: Richard Doerflinger & Senator Rick Santorum
2002 - Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
Director: Stephen M. Feiler
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Wanda Franz & Rep. Chris Smith
2000 - College Student Conference on Life
Director: Stephen M. Feiler
Keynote Speakers: Helen Alvaré & Rep. Henry Hyde
2025 - Life and Dignity: A Global Commitment
Director: Maria Victoria Almeida Vazquez
Rev. Thomas King, S.J. 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