On June 15, 2018, the Ruth Institute held its First Annual Awards Dinner in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Among the 250 guests was His Excellency, the Most
Reverend Bishop Glen John Provost, Roman Catholic Bishop of Lake Charles, who gave the invocation.
Recipients of awards included authors, scholars and activists.
Dr. Mark Regnerus (left) received the Institute’s award for Scholarship. Prof. Regnerus teaches sociology at the University of Texas at Austin and is a
senior fellow at the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture. He is perhaps best known as the researcher who challenged the belief that
the children of same-sex couples do as well as those from heterosexual families.
Regnerus was specifically honored for his latest book, Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage and Monogamy, where he describes the brave
new world of the Pill, pornography, delayed marriage and the hook-up culture.
Mrs. Caryl Ayala (pictured right with Dr. Morse) received the Institute’s award as Activist and Ruth Institute Book Club Leader of the
Year. Mrs. Ayala is co-founder of Concerned Parents of Austin, a grassroots organization of educators and parents who inform and equip families against
the dangers of Comprehensive Sex Education. She is also the Family Ministry Coordinator at Oak Meadow Baptist Church and promotes programs that address
biblical purity and sexuality. As such, she organized a Ruth Institute Book Club on 101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person.
Mr. Daniel Mattson (left) received the Institute’s award for Public Witness and was the evening’s keynote speaker. Mr. Mattson is a professional
musician and author of the book Why I Don’t Call Myself Gay. He spoke of his journey from living as a gay man to finding peace, joy and fulfillment
by entering the Catholic Church. This transformation is also recounted in the award-winning documentary, “Desire of the Everlasting Hills.” Mattson’s
book was praised by Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (2012-2017).
Distinguished guests included Fr. Paul Sullins, Ph.D. Recently retired from the Catholic University of America’s Sociology Department, Fr. Sullins has
done groundbreaking work on the psychological impact of abortion on women, and the impact of same-sex parenting on children, work he will continue
to do for the Ruth Institute. [Below left: Seminarians from the Diocese of Lake Charles. Below right: Nee de Tradition.]
Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse Ph.D., Founder and President of the Ruth Institute, said the organization’s mission is to “equip Christians to
know and explain why they believe what they believe about marriage and family.” Morse elaborated: “We believe that children need their parents; that
every child deserves a relationship with their natural mother and father, unless an unavoidable tragedy prevents it; that every person, without exception,
deserves to know their cultural heritage and identity.
“These rights of children place constraints on adult behavior around marriage and sex. Traditional Christian sexual ethics protect the
rights of children and educate adults about their responsibilities. Each of our award winners has made significant contributions to building a society
that defends these rights of children.”
Following dinner, awards and the keynote presentation, guests enjoyed visiting with pro-family exhibitors and dancing to the music of local Cajun band,
Nee de Tradition.
Dr. Morse summed up the Ruth Institute’s First Annual Awards Dinner as “inspiring, informative and fun. Our guests had a wonderful and memorable evening.
We look forward to next year.”
See more pictures from the dinner on our Facebook page.