Respecting Human Life Catholic Social Teaching Document #: TX001994

A Culture of Life versus a Culture of Death By Clarence Goss from USA (Flickr:Got You Daddy) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons Pope John Paul II wrote about the moral shifts occurring in society, specifically abortion and euthanasia. Abortion and euthanasia are two serious sins against the sanctity of life and are violations of the Fifth Commandment.

In The Gospel of Life, John Paul II identifies two contemporary causes of the culture of death: By Shayan Sanyal (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons adopting a distorted understanding of human freedom making something other than God the center of our lives The Culture of Death

First, people today often adopt a distorted understanding of human freedom. Image in shutterstock Some people think that we should have the right to pursue our personal goals and desires without any hindrance. The Church teaches that human freedom is a gift and not an absolute right. The Culture of Death (continued)

Second, when God is not the center of our lives, we can become preoccupied with material things at the expense of others, which leads to suffering. to choose right over wrong to choose love over hate The Culture of Death (continued) The gift of freedom comes with responsibility: to choose solidarity over self-centeredness to choose life over death Image in shutterstock

As members of God’s family, we must serve others through works of charity. Civil leaders have particular responsibility to make courageous choices in support of life. Promoting the Culture of Life Families also play a special role in building a culture of life. Partner Discussion In what ways can civil leaders promote a culture of life? In what ways can families build a culture of life? Turn to a partner and share:

Beginning-of-Life Issues: Abortion After abortion was legalized, it became more common to believe that unborn children do not have full human rights. This human rights issue can lead to questions about the dignity of others, especially those who are elderly or infirm. In its January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot limit a woman’s right to an abortion during the first trimester of her pregnancy. By Clarence Goss from USA (Flickr:Got You Daddy) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons

Abortion – the Problem At present, 1.06 million abortions in the US annually. Over 57.7 million abortions in US since Over 1.3 billion worldwide since Abortion is legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy. Abortion clinics are not sufficiently regulated, resulting in malpractice and low standards of care. Abortion disproportionately affects minorities.

Abortion – the Problem

Abortion – Social Justice Principles Human dignity. –Abortion assumes that the life of a pre-born person is not worthy of the same esteem and respect as one who is born. –Abortion is a violation of the right to life of the person. Solidarity –With the unborn. They are members of the human community for whom we take responsibility. –With women. Most have abortions because they feel abandoned, unsupported, rejected, and alone. They are “socially aborted.” Social pressure leads them to have abortions they did not want.

Abortion – Social Justice Principles Government Responsibility. Duty of government to protect the innocent. Civil law protecting the unborn is based on natural law. Sinful structures. Political, cultural, and economic structures facilitate and promote abortion, to the point that women are coerced into abortions they do not want. –Laws remove any obstacle to abortion – e.g. parental notification. –College health insurance plans pay for abortions, but not necessarily pre-natal care. –Public high school counselors give abortion clinic referrals.

Abortion - solutions Creating a true “culture of life” in which women in crisis pregnancies feel supported. Prohibiting abortion by law. Prosecution of doctors or the revoking of their medical licenses if they perform abortions. Extending the statute of limitations for abortion malpractice for women who wish to seek civil damages.

Other Beginning of Life Issues Artificial Means of Contraception Prenatal Testing/Diagnosis Genetic Engineering Embryonic Stem Cell Research Cloning

End-of-Life Issues: Euthanasia & Physician-Assisted Suicide God’s Law makes it clear that intentionally causing the death of a human being is murder, regardless of the motive or circumstances. According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, euthanasia violates human dignity and the respect we owe to our Creator, the author of human life. Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, is a serious offense against the Fifth Commandment. Proponents of euthanasia make it an issue of human freedom.

Euthanasia – the Problem Groups are working actively to legalize Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS). –Oregon, Washington, Vermont legalized PAS via legislation –Montana has legal PAS via court ruling –39 states have law prohibiting assisted suicide Euthanasia and PAS is already being practiced secretly in many hospitals.

Euthanasia – Social Justice Principles Human dignity. The lives of the sick and dying still have worth. Natural Law. It is against natural law to kill an innocent human being. Solidarity. The sick and dying are valued members of our community, not a burden.

Euthanasia – Social Justice Principles Sinful structures. Recourse to euthanasia results in the growth of sinful cultural and legal structures, which in turn lead to more euthanasia. –If euthanasia becomes socially acceptable, legal safeguards will be removed or ignored. –The sick and elderly will be pressured into accepting euthanasia or asking for assisted suicide. –Euthanasia will be administered without the knowledge or consent of the patient or family. –All of the above has already occurred in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal. Even handicapped children are euthanized.

Euthanasia – solutions More training for health care professionals in pain management. Development of hospice programs which are based on solid moral principles and respect for human dignity. Advance directives that facilitate health care decision making but fully respect the right to life. Churches and communities fostering respect for the sick and elderly. Robust laws to prohibit euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, and futile care protocols. Programs offering support to family members and caregivers of the sick and elderly.

End-of-Life Issues: The Death Penalty Image in shutterstock Pope John Paul II teaches in The Gospel of Life that the death penalty should be “very rare, if not practically non- existent.” Taking the life of another is an offense against the Fifth Commandment.

End-of-Life Issues: The Death Penalty (continued) The New Law taught by Jesus emphasized mercy and forgiveness. The Catholic Church is generally against the death penalty for the following reasons: Advancements in the criminal justice system allow for imprisonment for a lifetime as well as the capacity to ensure that prisoners in maximum-security prisons have minimal risk for escape. Conversion of heart and lifestyle through rehabilitation is always possible.