After 40 years of service to the Diocese of Venice, Respect Life Director Jeanne Berdeaux has been recognized for her lifelong dedication to protecting the unborn by receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Knights of Columbus Council 3358 in Sarasota.
The official recognition occurred during a Dinner for Life event on Nov. 17, 2024, just after the Diocese regretfully announced Berdeaux’s retirement on Nov. 6, 2024.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the contribution of Jeanne Berdeaux to the Diocese of Venice is vast, but it was her work of fighting for life, from conception to natural death, that made a profound impact.
“The legacy of Jeane Berdeaux is truly incalculable,” Bishp Dewane said. “She showed us all the ways to stand up for life, with love and passion that knew no bounds. She may be retired but her legacy is found in the countless babies who have been saved either directly or indirectly by the initiatives she has championed throughout her life in service to the Diocese and God. The Diocese is grateful for her service.”
Berdeaux was a volunteer leading the youth group at Epiphany Parish in Venice when the Diocese of Venice in Florida was founded in 1984. She assisted and was present for many of the events surrounding the creation of the new Diocese and attended the installation of its first Bishop, the Most Rev. John J. Nevins. Jeanne recalled those early years of the Diocese with enthusiasm.
“It was exciting!” she said. “The Diocese was growing rapidly with new churches being built and ministries expanding. I helped at the Installation Mass of Bishop Nevins and then assisted with refreshments for the 1,700 guests at the reception that day!” Jeanne recalled.
It was on April 8, 1985, when Berdeaux was hired by the Diocese as an Administrative Assistant for the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Ministries (now Evangelization). The broad department included focusing on issues such as Family Life, Youth, Scouting, Prison Ministry, Persons with Disabilities and Older Catholics, and Respect Life.
Berdeaux quickly embraced her work with the Pro-Life movement and accepted a position as Administrative Assistant in 1993 and was eventually appointed Respect Life Director in 1998.
During the Knights of Columbus awards ceremony, Arthur Reilly spoke highly of Berdeaux and her work in the Pro-Life movement, noting that “Jeanne is an inspiration to all of us, a humble servant and a blessing to our Church, our community and our state.” Reilly noted further how Berdeaux’s impact reaches far beyond that of her personal influence, adding “Think of how many of us have been drawn to the Pro-Life movement through the events and activities spearheaded by Jeanne.”
Some of those events and activities include:
- State Respect Life Conference – hosted it in 1991, 1998, 2006, 2011 and 2018;
- 40 Days for Life – the second Diocese in the country to be part of the national prayer campaigns in multiple locations at the encouragement of Bishop Dewane;
- Catholic Days at the Capitol – leading groups annually to push a Pro-Life agenda to State Legislators in Tallahassee;
- March for Life – organizing and encouraging many groups to participate in the annual national March in Washington, D.C., often accompanied by Bishop Dewane;
- Pennies for Babies – initiated a program to help pregnant moms in need through Catholic Charities;
- Knights of Columbus ultrasound program – facilitating the purchase of several dozen machines for pregnancy resource centers in the region;
- “Walking with Moms in Need” – implementing the U.S. Bishop’s initiative within the Diocese to ensure that any woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, or parenting in difficult circumstances, can turn to her local Catholic Church and be connected with the resources she needs;
- Project Rachel and Hope After Abortion – post-abortion support programs for moms and dads who are struggling with the impacts of abortion in their lives.
During her time as Respect Life Director, Berdeaux said the biggest win was when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the devastating Roe v. Wade decision in 2022 with the Dobbs decision, throwing the issue of legislating abortion to the states.
“I never thought I would see the day when Roe v Wade would be overturned,” Berdeaux said. “It wasn’t long, however, before we realized that our work was not done. The ‘other side’ was infuriated and worked even harder to push their agenda, but it opened the door to the strongest pro-life legislation we have ever had in Florida.”
This set up the epic fight to defeat Amendment 4 on the November 2024 Florida ballot. Had it passed, the extreme and dangerous proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution would have radically expanded access to abortion reversing years of positive legislation that now limits abortion to six-weeks of gestation.
“However, over the 40 years in Respect Life, nothing compares to the defeat of Amendment 4,” Berdeaux said. “I am convinced that many of the 57% of voters who said yes to it had no idea how devastating its passage would have been in our state. Fortunately, most pro-life people did everything possible to spread the truth. We know the fight is not over, but we bought some time to keep teaching that love is the answer.”
Another big “win” acknowledged by Berdeaux is the success of 40 Days for Life.
“When I first heard about 40 Days for Life in 2007 before its launch, I didn’t think I had time to bring it to our Diocese,” Berdeaux recalled. “But with the support of Bishop Dewane, we made it happen, and we were only the second Diocese in the country to bring that campaign to life! It has grown into the most amazingly effective pro-life campaign, involving hundreds of people in our Diocese, from priests to volunteers, all in peaceful, prayerful witness on the sidewalks in front of abortion centers,” she said. “These people have become the sign women pray to find as they approach these facilities.”
When asked what the biggest challenge is facing the Respect life movement today, Berdeaux said it was simply really understanding the issues.
“Getting people to listen and learn about the issues was difficult then and still is today,” Berdeaux said. “There are more ways to communicate now, but people are busier then ever and there are more distractions. If people stopped long enough to understand the issues, I truly believe there would be much greater respect for all human life.”
As for the immediate future, Berdeaux is busy at home caring for her husband who is recovering from a recent illness, but told Bishop Dewane she would help as much as she can until a new Respect Life Director can be appointed and trained.
“I am looking forward to helping my husband regain his strength and enjoy life more,” Berdeaux said, “but I will still be handling things that have to be done in the Respect Life Office. Staying involved is helping me with this transition. Hopefully my help will keep things rolling for a while longer so the right person can be found to take over Respect Life and take it to new levels. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us!”
