1. Human Dignity “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, … all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17)

2. Why Is Human Dignity So Important? Reason 1: We are created in God’s image Reason 2: In the Incarnation, Jesus Christ becomes one with the human family’s members. All human persons are touched by the reality of the Incarnation, and by Christ’s redemptive actions. Christ came for all.

3. What They Said About Human Dignity “The duty to respect the dignity of each human being, in whose nature the image of the Creator is reflected, means in consequence that the person cannot be disposed of at will. Those with greater political, technical, or economic power may not use that power to violate the rights of others who are less fortunate. Peace is based on respect for the rights of all.” (Pope Benedict XVI, in his Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 2007) “No one can be by nature superior to his fellows, since all men are equally noble in natural dignity.” (Pope John XXIII in his encyclical Peace on Earth [Pacem in Terris], No. 89)

4. Question What moral issues does the Catholic Church classify as running contrary to human dignity?

5. Answers Abortion Stem- cell research Euthanasia Racism

6. Most Important for Today TORTURE

7. Another Question What event, in the last 10 years, has once again made torture a significant issue?

8. Abu Ghraib In 2004 photographs were brought to the public, providing evidence of the mistreatment of prisoners by American soldiers and interrogators at the Abu Ghraib detention center in Iraq.

9. Statement by a Detainee: Presented several moral issues Sexual Taunting Humiliation Dehumanization Suffering Physical Harm Denied Rights

10. Abu Ghraib Clearly went against the dignity of the person

11. U.N. Definition Torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions. - U.N. General Assembly

12. The Catechism of the Catholic Church Found under the section on the respect for the dignity of the persons. “Torture, which uses physical or moral violence to extract confession, punish the guilty, frighten opponents, or satisfy hatred is contrary to the respect of the human person and for human dignity.”

13. Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.” (Romans 12:14-18)

14. Catholic Answer to Torture Love your enemies. Pope John Paul- “Love of enemies helps to interrupt “the spiral of hatred and revenge” and break “the chains of evil which bind the hearts of rivals,” Pope Benedict XVI-“Love of neighbor... consists in the very fact that, in God and with God, I love even the person whom I do not like or even know.”

15. Principle of Double Effect It is impossible to commit torture without having the intention to torture someone. No matter what the good effect is, it is still achieved through the evil effect, which is the torture. Therefore, according to the principle of Double effect, Torture can never be without an evil intention and would be considered an intrinsically evil action.

16. One Last Question: Which prominent figure in history underwent torture for the crimes he was accused of committing that would have a major impact on the Catholic view of Torture?

17. The Torture of Jesus The Roman Soldiers were not interested in obtaining information from him, but more in humiliating and weakening him. There is an obvious lack or respect for the dignity of Jesus during his torture, as described by the Gospel writers.

18. Why Does the Catholic Church Take a Position? The torture and crucifixion of Jesus, and the torture and abuse of many saints down through history also are never forgotten by the Church. What do we learn from the interrogation, flogging, and crucifixion of Jesus? How does the torture of Jesus and many saints remind us of our nation’s response to threatening developments in the world today? The Catholic Church always wants to contribute to the world in positive ways and to help cast light on the most pressing issues of the times. That is why the Church and her people enter into the public discussion of an issue such as torture.

19. Questions?