Chapter 28

 Scriptures and Sacred Tradition has taught us that every human life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. No exceptions. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated.” (Jeremiah 1:15) The Fifth Commandment tells us – “Thou shalt not kill.”

 The Church affirms that we have the right to stop someone from inflicting harm on us or on others.  Only if we have no other alternative is legitimate defense of life is justification for killing.

 The Church has accepted the use of capital punishment as a way to stop people who are considered a threat to society, and only as a last resort.  Pope St. John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae said, however, that justifiable reasons for using the death penalty “are very rare, if not practically not existent” due to the improvements in the prison system.  Even the worst immoral act does not take away a person’s God-given dignity.

 Armed conflict, as a last resort is a valid way of protecting society against unjust aggressors, but it always brings other evils and injustices.  The Bible reminds us the love is incompatible with violence

 Countries, have the right to defend themselves against unjust aggressors.  The Church has developed a criteria that must be met for a war to be morally justifiable:  Just cause  Comparative justice – the good achieved must outweigh the resulting loss of life and disruption in society  Legitimate authority – only those who are constitutionally and publically charged may wage war.

 Right intention  Probability of Success  Proportionality – overall destruction must be outweighed by the good to be achieved. Loss of innocent life must be avoided at all cost.  Last Resort

 If any of these conditions are not met, the war cannot be considered just.  The Church affirms the right of others, in good conscience, to conscientiously object and should be given alternative ways to serve their country.

 Once war has begun, the just war theory also directs how combatants are to act or should act:combatants  Distinction -- The acts of war should be directed towards enemy combatants, and not towards non- combatants Distinctionnon- combatants  Proportionality and Military necessity action must be an attack on a military objective, ProportionalityMilitary necessity  Fair treatment of prisoners of warprisoners of war  Combatants may not use weapons or other methods of warfare which are considered evil.

 Intentionally stopping the development of an unborn child  For centuries, all societies considered this a moral evil.  In the 1970’s abortion on-demand became legal in the United States after the landmark US Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.  The Catholic Church and many other Christians believe that from conception (when the egg and sperm unite), a child has the right to life.

 Abortion – that is a direct intentional killing of a child in the womb, is considered a serious sin against the law of God and the Church.  Miscarriages – if not intentional, are considered an accident and not abortion  Many girls and women who have an unexpected pregnancy may panic and are pressured by friends and family to abort the baby for various reasons.  Men are tempted to “fix it” and find an alternative solution.

 Killing the unborn child affects the women and men involved, psychologically and emotionally.  Organizations like Good Counsel Homes can help women find alternatives to abortion.  Project Rachel is an organization that helps women who have had an abortion find peace and healing.

 Project Rachel Project Rachel

 We can prevent and end the tragedy of abortion by:  Providing material, emotional, and spiritual help for women who face a crisis pregnancy.  Enabling women to see adoption as loving alternative to abortion.  Promoting greater respect for sexuality.  Communicate the evils of abortion while finding ways for women avoid this tragedy.

 Genetic engineering, cloning, embryonic stem-cell research all pose grave concerns to the life of the unborn.  The Church defends and cares for the rights of human beings from conception through all stages in life.  We are stewards of God’s creation, including our bodies.  Just because we can do things or looks good, it doesn’t mean we should do it or that it is good.

 Also known as mercy killing.  Those who support it argue that people (or their families) have the right to choose to end their lives if they are incapacitated or have a terminal illness.  The Church considers the act of intentionally causing the death of a human being to be murder, regardless of motive or circumstances.  Hospice programs, medicine, and spiritual support can help those who are dying and suffering to make that transition from death to life.

 Dying is a process. Death is an event.  Life is a gift and must be safeguarded.  It is not absolute, however – Catholics acknowledge the reality of death with the hope of the resurrection.

 In treating terminally ill patients, the Church makes a distinction between providing ordinary means of health care and extraordinary means.  Ordinary means – ordinary and reasonable means to preserve life (food, water, exercise, and medical care); -- cannot be discontinued  Extraordinary means – over-zealous treatment that is not a real benefit to the patient, not readily available, and excessively burdensome to the patient (physical, psychological, economical),  or excessively burdensome economically to family members – these methods can be withdrawn or discontinued.  Questions that must be asked:  Will the cause of death for the person be the illness/disease or lack of food, water, or reasonable medical care)?  Always consult a priest or hospital chaplain for advice.

 Suicide, the taking of your own life is against the Fifth Commandment and against human nature.  It is the ultimate rejection of the love of self, love of God, love of neighbor.  The Church recognizes that serious mental illness or suffering can contribute to suicide, and is likely to affect a persons ability to make rational decisions.  If person is thinking of harming themselves, the person need immediate medical and psychological help.

 An attitude or behavior that deliberately leads another person to sin, causing her to his or her spiritual life.  Things we do, say, or wear can cause scandal.

 As created in the image and likeness of God – body, mind, and soul, we have the obligation to respect our own health – proper exercise, getting enough sleep, eating healthy.  The fifth commandment is not just avoiding murder – but it also cautions us against all forms of physical and mental violence against others and ourselves.