06/15/2026
There are many reasons for Maine Pro Life “friends” to attend the Thursday Event in Brunswick, here is a great one:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maine Right to Life Announces Bishop James T. Ruggieri as Recipient of the
2026 Patricia DeGrinney LIFE Award
BRUNSWICK, Maine — June 2026 — Maine Right to Life is honored to announce that The Most Reverend James Thomas Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Patricia DeGrinney LIFE Award, one of the organization's highest recognitions.
Established in 2009, the Patricia DeGrinney LIFE Award honors the legacy of Patricia DeGrinney, a founding member of Maine Right to Life and one of Maine's most dedicated pro-life leaders. For more than three decades, Patricia DeGrinney worked tirelessly to educate women and men about the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. A steadfast advocate for the unborn, the elderly, and all vulnerable persons, she helped spearhead numerous pro-life initiatives throughout the State of Maine.
The award is presented annually to a Maine citizen who has consistently demonstrated compassion, leadership, and service on behalf of society's most vulnerable individuals, including unborn children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and those at risk of su***de or euthanasia.
"Bishop Ruggieri's ministry has been marked by a deep commitment to the dignity of every human person,” said Michael McClellan, Executive Director of Maine Right to Life. "Whether serving the poor, welcoming individuals with disabilities, supporting families, or proclaiming the value of every life created in the image of God, Bishop Ruggieri has exemplified the spirit of service and compassion that Patricia DeGrinney
embodied throughout her life."
Bishop Ruggieri was named the thirteenth Bishop of Portland by Pope Francis on February 13, 2024, and was ordained and installed on May 7, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.
Before coming to Maine, Bishop Ruggieri served nearly three decades in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. As pastor of St. Patrick Parish, he became widely recognized for his outreach to the poor, often traveling throughout Providence in a food truck to serve those in need. In 2009, he helped found St. Patrick Academy, a Catholic college-preparatory high school committed to making quality education accessible regardless of a family's financial circumstances.
Throughout his priesthood and episcopal ministry, Bishop Ruggieri has demonstrated a profound commitment to serving those on the margins of society. His efforts have been recognized through numerous honors, including Providence College's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Vision Award and the Diocese of Providence's Lumen Gentium Award for Evangelization. Under his leadership, St. Patrick Parish also received national recognition for creating a welcoming environment for people with disabilities.
"Bishop Ruggieri's witness reminds us that respect for human life is not merely an idea but a call to action,” said McClellan. "His ministry reflects a consistent ethic of care for the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled, the elderly, and the unborn.
We are grateful for his leadership and honored to recognize him with this award."
The Patricia DeGrinney LIFE Award will be presented during Maine Right to Life's Annual Celebration on June 18, 2026, at St. John's Parish Center in Brunswick.
For a complete list of past Patricia DeGrinney LIFE Award recipients and additional information about Maine
Right to Life, please visit the Maine Right to Life website:
We seek to inform, educate, and motivate people from all walks of life to defend life from womb to tomb. Our vision is that abortion will become unthinkable.
