The Fifth Commandment You shall not kill. The fifth commandment tells us that we must respect life. These principles at the root of all church teachings on all life issues: –All life is precious and is a gift from God. –God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end. –No one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.

Legitimate defense We are called to respect our own right to life. Therefore, if one is forced to defend his or her own life he/she is not guilty of murder even if he/she is forced to kill his/her attacker. Such defense is not only a right but a duty for those responsible for the lives of others. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility. (e.g. police)

Crime and punishment Legitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict punishment on criminals proportionate to the gravity of the offense. Punishment, in addition to defending public order and protecting people's safety, should have a correctional purpose: as far as possible, it must contribute to the correction of the guilty party.

Capital Punishment Whenever possible, non-lethal means of protecting society should be used by governments. Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.”

Intentional homicide The intentional taking of another’s life is – and has always been – a violation of the fifth commandment and a mortal sin. This also applies to actions that indirectly bring about a person’s death. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger. A person is not morally responsible for truly accidental and unintentional killing. A person can be morally responsible for a death caused by his/her negligence or carelessness, however.

Protecting the Unborn Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being has the rights of every person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. Performing or receiving an abortion is a mortal sin and excommunicates the person responsible from the Church. Societies that do not respect the rights of the unborn are also unlikely to respect the rights of the weak or helpless.

Prenatal diagnosis is morally acceptable if it is not done with the intention of inducing and abortion depending upon the results. Genetic engineering aimed at producing offspring of one gender or another is not morally acceptable. Any form of research that results in the death of a fetus is morally unacceptable and the equivalent of an abortion.

Euthanasia Euthanasia (commonly called mercy killing) is the deliberate ending of a person’s life because he or she is sick or infirm. Sick or handicapped persons should be given special respect. They should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible. The sick must always be given ordinary care (food, water, normal medical care). Discontinuing extraordinary means of prolonging life is acceptable. This decision, however should be left to the individual if he/she is capable.

Suicide Since God is the giver of life, we should accept this gift. When one commits suicide, he/she is rejecting God’s gift of life. Often, however, there are factors that diminish a person’s responsibility – anguish, suffering, torture or emotional issues. Our responsibility as Christians is to help others through such times so that they will always recognize that they are loved and valued beyond measure.

Respect for the Dignity of Others Scandal – An attitude or behavior that leads another to do evil. This is an especially serious offense if one deliberately leads another into grave or mortal sin. Scandal is a violation of the fifth commandment because it is leading another into spiritual death. Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, fashion or opinion.

Respect for Health Life and health are gifts given by God. We are called to respect our bodies and safeguard our health and that of others. Societies must provide for the health of their citizens by providing for their basic needs – food, clothing, housing, health care, etc. We should avoid excesses that can harm our health – e.g. abuses of food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine. The use or sale of illegal narcotics is always a grave sin.

Scientific Research Scientific research is good in itself since it contributes to the healing of the sick and advancement of public health. Research that is contrary to the dignity of individuals or the sanctity of life is not morally acceptable (e.g. experimentation that exposes a person to avoidable risks or will cause his/her death. Organ transplants are commendable provided the donor or his/her family has given consent. Causing the death of a person in order to obtain his/her organs is never acceptable.

Other Issues Kidnapping, hostage-taking and terrorism are always serious moral evils. The use of torture or cruel punishments by governments is always a moral evil.

Respect for the Dead The dying should always be given the attention and care that they need to die in peace and with dignity. The bodies of the dead should be treated with respect. Autopsies are morally permissible for legal purposes or scientific research. Cremation is permitted if it is not done in a way that denies our faith in the final resurrection of the body.

Peace and War The desire for revenge is a mortal sin if it reaches the point of deliberate harm to another. Deliberate hatred is also contrary to our faith. Peace and justice are inseparable. There can be no true peace without justice.

Avoiding War All citizens and governments have a moral obligation to work for the avoidance of war. Governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self- defense if all peace efforts have failed. Those who serve should be honored for their role in protecting the freedom and security of nations. Those whose consciences will not allow them to bear arms should not be forced to do so, although they can and should serve the community in some other way.