Kevin Burke, LSW, a fulltime member of the Priests for Life Pastoral Team, the co-founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, and an expert on men and abortion loss, will speak at the inaugural Respect Life conference of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, this weekend. “The Truth Will Set You Free” is the conference theme.

Kevin’s talk, at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria, will draw from his book, Tears of the Fisherman: Recovery for Men Wounded by Abortion, and will help attendees better understand the ways men are impacted by the loss of their child through abortion, no matter what role they played in the abortion.

On Friday evening, Kevin will have dinner with the diocese’s Rachel’s Vineyard team.

“Colleen and Steve Harmon, Cathy Trowbridge and their team have been doing Rachel’s Vineyard retreats in the Diocese of Peoria for many years,” Kevin said. “What a blessing that has been and we are so grateful for the diocese’s support. Father John Verrier is the spiritual director for the team. He is an amazing priest who reflects the love and mercy of the Father for those who have suffered abortion loss.”

The next Rachel’s Vineyard retreat in the diocese is scheduled for Oct. 25-27. To register, click here.

Other speakers at the weekend conference will include Ryan Bomberger of the Radiance Foundation, who will talk about the need for “Less Activism, More Factivism,” with young adults on Friday night, and “The Beauty of Possibility” on Saturday. Ryan was conceived in rape; his mother chose life and made an adoption plan for him. He grew up in a multiracial family of 15, and is now a married adoptive father with four children.

Sister Marysia Weber of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, will talk about internet pornography addiction: Understanding the Neurobiology and a Catholic Approach to Treatment.

The weekend conference will include a Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel Jenky at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Conference attendees also will have an opportunity to visit the tomb of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen.