1. Unit 5: Consistent Ethic of Life Abortion, Euthanasia, & the Death Penalty

2. 1. - God is the author of life & death.

3. 3. Life is like a seamless garment. They see life as a Seamless Garment. This “Consistent Ethic of Life” means… All human life, from WOMB to TOMB, deserves protection & care! This “Consistent Ethic of Life” means… medical technology issues abortion & euthanasia death penalty genetic engineering torture modern warfare homelessness genocide hunger

4. Polls indicate 75% approval now. In 1966, less than ½ of the U.S. population approved of the death penalty. Why do you think approval has increased?

5. Questions to Consider: 1. Does it deter or help prevent crime? 2. Doesn’t society have a responsibility to rehabilitate or reform wrongdoers? 3. Are we seeking the restoring of order or revenge? Dead Man Walking – Bruce Springsteen

6. (1)We can break the cycle of violence & find more hopeful, humane, & effective ways to respond to crime. (2) Every person has unique worth & dignity & is made in the image & likeness of God. Four reasons the Church wants capital punishment abolished: I’ve been called a son of a you- know-what plenty of times, but I’ve never been called a son of God.

7. (4) WWJD? (Jesus’ teachings & example stressed forgiveness, love, & compassion.) (3) God is the author of life. We’re called to care for it, not exert absolute control over it.

8. The Church teaches…... that a new & distinct human life begins at conception & deserves the right to live.... direct abortion is gravely contrary to moral law. Direct abortion: “I want a procedure to end my pregnancy.” Indirect abortion: “My child began forming in my fallopian tube & during my life-saving surgery, the baby died.”

9. The real question behind the abortion debate is: When does human life begin? “Pro-life v. Pro-choice”

10. Legal view Church view Roe v. Wade (‘73) Declaration on Procured Abortion (‘74) A woman has a right to privacy which includes the right to an abortion. The State may intervene when a child reaches viability. The Church stands opposed to the Sup. Ct.’s ruling. Human life deserves protection beginning at conception.

11. Three Final Thoughts: -- Modern science shows that “right at conception, the adventure of human life begins.” -- Sacred tradition & scripture must play a role in answering: “What constitutes a human person?” -- If we’re unsure, we should presume that a person is present at the earliest stages.

12. Have you ever heard someone say: “If when I’m older I’m ever ___, just kill me?” What was the substance of the remark?

13. Literally means “happy” or “good death.” Describes an act or method of causing death painlessly so as to end suffering.

14. Dr. Jack KevorkianDr. Jack Kevorkian, May 1993 Terri SchiavoTerri Schiavo, March 2005 Brittany MaynardBrittany Maynard, Oct./Nov. 2014

15. Situations when euthanasia may be considered: (I’m not saying it should be!) When a person is… … faced w/ being severely or permanently disabled & dependent on others. … in chronic or intolerable pain. … facing grave illness or is dying.

16. * ACTIVE (or direct) = willed inducement of death for merciful reasons -- Forbidden by the Church -- The type that is usually topic of debate * PASSIVE (or indirect) = allowing one to die when: 1. the person is terminally ill, 2. there is no obligation to continue life support systems, 3. there is no reasonable hope for recovery. TWO TYPES of EUTHANASIA:

17. -- Medicines, treatments, & operations that: -- Normal food, drink, & rest. … offer a reasonable hope of benefit … can be obtained & used w/o excessive pain or inconvenience

18. -- very costly, -- very unusual, -- very painful, -- very difficult, -- very dangerous, -- do not offer reasonable hope of benefit. Ordinary or extraordinary? Active or passive?

19. (Intent has to be to relieve pain, not hasten death.)