1. Jesus Restores Our Image
Inherent Dignity
Jesus Restores Our Image

2. Revelation of Inherent Dignity
Assumed our human nature (Incarnation)
Restored our image that was tarnished from sin
Ensured our ultimate destiny
Eternal life in the glory of God’s holy presence
Revealed our inherent dignity
All people have been created in God’s image
Men and women are equal partners
Life is sacred, at all its stages, from conception to natural death

3. Human Dignity
The heart of human dignity consists of these three fundamental truths:
We are all created as good
We are in need of salvation
We are meant for eternal life in the glory of God’s holy presence

4. We are created as Good Made in the image and likeness of God
Unique creatures of the creation
Incarnation affirms the basic goodness of the world in general, humanity in particular
Jesus would not have come into the world if it were not good
Jesus would not have assumed a human nature if it were not good

5. In Need of Redemption
The “Fall” brought sin into the world and has been part of the human experience since.
Affected our human nature in that it is now weakened and inclined to sin.
Because God loves us, he sent Jesus to expiate that sin, Jesus undoes what Adam did
Baptism heals our wounded nature and gives us the grace to fight temptation and sin
Jesus restored what we lost

6. Bound for Glory
Ultimate destiny: eternal life in the glory of God’s holy presence
Beatific vision
Sharing in the sacramental life strengthens us for the journey and enables us to attain this ultimate destiny

7. Inherent Dignity
Inherent: in the very fabric of our being; cannot be taken away from us. We are born with it. A gift from God
Unique: only humans have an immortal soul
Genetic make-up from parents
Spiritual soul from God, gives life
Death is the separation of the body and the soul
At the final resurrection our glorified bodies will be reunited with our souls

8. Men and Women Created for each other Created as equals
Revealed in the creation story of Genesis
Created as equals
Equal in dignity, rights, and capacity to be a sign of God’s presence in the world
Different physically
Created with the gift of Sexuality
Love, procreation, and bonding
Chastity , the virtue that helps us successfully integrate our sexuality into the total person.

9. Respect for Human Life Sacred gift of life At life’s beginning
God gives life only God can take life
Killing at any stage is a violation of the fifth commandment
“cides,” torture, trafficking and degrading conditions
Dignity of the body
At life’s beginning
Abortion, the intentional termination of any pregnancy, in any circumstances
Genetic alteration
IVF
At life’s end
Euthanasia, the direct action or deliberate and purposeful lack of action that causes the death of a person who is sick, disabled or dying.