1. 10.1 Morality: A Response to God’s Love
5th Commandment
Cherishing Each Person from beginning of life to natural end
©Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division

2. Chapter Overview
The fifth commandment mandates us to respect the life of the unborn.
Respect for life is a principle that guides us in caring for those who are sick or who are near death.
The fifth commandment forbids intentional euthanasia.
Church teaching addresses the issues of life support and physician-assisted suicide.

3. Scripture and Tradition
“I call heaven and earth to witness. I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life then, that you and your descendants may live!” (Deut. 30:19)
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement.” (Mt 5:21-22)

4. Scripture and Tradition
“Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end.
God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for him/herself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.” (CCC 2258)

5. The 5th Commandment Warns against intentional homicide
Supports legitimate defense
Mandates us to respect the life of the unborn
Calls for respect in caring for those who are sick, vulnerable or who are near death
Forbids intentional euthanasia
Teaches that suicide is contrary to the love of God
Church teaching addresses the issues of life support and physician-assisted suicide
Encourages health and bodily integrity

6. A Culture of Life vs Culture of Death
Pope Saint John Paul II wrote about the moral shifts occurring in society, specifically abortion and euthanasia in Evangeliuum Vitae (Gospel of Life).
A culture of life is created by words, attitudes, or actions that promote people’s dignity or protect their God-given rights, especially the right to life. A culture of death is created by words, attitudes, and actions that take away people’s dignity or threaten their God-given rights, especially the right to life.

7. Culture of Death
In The Gospel of Life, Saint John Paul II identifies two contemporary causes of the culture of death:
adopting a distorted understanding of human freedom
Making something other than God the center of our lives.

8. Culture of Death: distorted freedom
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.

9. Culture of Death: our life is not our own
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.
The gift of freedom comes with responsibility:
To choose right over wrong
To choose love over hate
To choose solidarity over selfishness
To choose life over death

10. Promoting a culture of Life
As members of God’s family, we must serve others through works of charity.
Families also play a special role in building a culture of life.
Civil leaders have a particular responsibility to make courageous choices in support of life.

11. Step back and think
What are some previous key concepts/terms that come to mind with this Commandment?
Evil – contrary to the will of God
Sin – deliberate thought, word, deed or omission contrary to the will of God
Dignity – the respect owed to all human beings because they are made in God’s image

12. Step back and think… Moral life seeks to practice virtue
Moral decision making: the object (act of the will), the intention (to achieve what end?), circumstances.
Partner Discussion
Turn to a partner and share:
In what ways can civil leaders promote a culture of life?
In what ways can families build a culture of life?

13. Homicide and legitimate defense
The 5th Commandment forbids direct and intentional killing. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily commit a grave sin.
Anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person’s death is forbidden. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger.
The acceptance of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and grave offense. Those whose avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren indirectly commit homicide which is imputable to them. (CCC )

14. Homicide and legitimate defense
Defending oneself and others from violent aggressors.
Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality.
Legitimate defense has a double effect: the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor…The one is intended, the other is not.
It is legitimate to insist on one’s own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder.
Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. (CCC 2263 – 2265)

15. Respect for the Sick, Vulnerable, Near Death
Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, is a serious offense against the Fifth Commandment. Proponents of euthanasia make it an issue of human freedom.
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.
Large-Group Discussion
In what ways is the Catholic Church’s view on euthanasia different from society’s view on euthanasia?
What foundational principles govern the Church’s view?

16. Large-Group Discussion
In what ways is the Catholic Church’s view on euthanasia different from society’s view on euthanasia?
What foundational principles govern the Church’s view?
Our lives belong to God
Suffering does not diminish meaning
Regardless of circumstances, humans have dignity always

19. V Vocabulary
Euthanasia (p. 191): “An action or an omission which, of itself or by intention, causes the death of handicapped, sick, or dying persons—sometimes with an attempt to justify the act as a means of eliminating suffering.” (Catechism, Glossary)
Ordinary means of life support (p. 194): Medical procedures that offer sufficient or reasonable benefits without excessive or undue burdens to the patient or his or her family.

20. V Vocabulary
Extraordinary means of life support (p. 194): Medical procedures that offer little hope of benefit and which cause undue or excessive burdens to the patient or his or her family.
Physician-assisted suicide (p. 196): A person who is incurably ill killing himself or herself with the help of a physician.

21. Review
1. According to the text, what is the central question in the abortion debate? What are the two dominant positions people have on this question?
2. List the four key points made about the beginning of life in the Declaration on Procured Abortion.
3. What stand does this document take regarding the many difficulties that pregnancy can cause for some people?

22. Review
4. What experience of Jesus’ gives us hope in facing death?
5. Which two views about death are balanced in Catholic teaching?
6. What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?

23. Review
7. What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary euthanasia?
8. Which two questions determine whether a life-support measure is an ordinary or an extraordinary means?
9. What is the Catholic teaching regarding extraordinary means to preserve life?

24. 10.6 Review 10. Define physician-assisted suicide.
11. Why does Pope John Paul II call physician-assisted suicide “false mercy”?