Encyclical Covers Spectrum of Life, Death Issues among Them, Rigali Says, Are Economic Injustice, Ecology

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St. Louis Archbishop Justin Rigali has invited "people of good will" to take up Pope John Paul II's challenge to create a culture of love and truth that respects human life.

Rigali spoke at a news conference at the Catholic Center, 4445 Lindell Boulevard, Thursday about the pope's encyclical, called "Evangelium Vitae" or "The Gospel of Life." It is the 11th and longest encyclical - a papal pastoral letter of the highest importance - in John Paul's 17-year tenure. Four years in the writing, it was released Thursday in Rome.

The St. Louis archbishop, holding his worn, dog-eared, advance copy, stressed that it was not a one-issue encyclical.

It covers a …