Dignity and Life Issues

Dignity and Life Issues
Dignity and Right to Life Issues

The Catholic Church holds a strong belief in the sanctity of life and the inherent dignity of every human person. This belief is based on the understanding that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possesses inherent worth and value. The Church therefore teaches that every human life, from conception to natural death, is sacred and should be protected and respected.

In terms of public policy, the Church advocates for laws and policies that uphold the dignity of human life and protect the sanctity of life. This includes opposition to physician-assisted suicide, the death penalty, and abortion, which the Church views as violations of the sacredness of life and threats to human dignity. The Church works to promote a culture of life and respect for human dignity in society and provides support and resources for those facing difficult decisions and challenges related to life and dignity issues.

Position on Physician-Assisted Suicide:
    • The Catholic Church believes that life is a gift from God and is sacred from conception to natural death.
    • Physician-assisted suicide goes against the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life and undermines the value of human life.
    • The Church supports the provision of adequate pain management and comfort care for those facing serious illness or the end of life.
    • The Church opposes physician-assisted suicide because it undermines the physician’s role as a healer and could lead to the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable people.
    • The Church promotes a culture of life and encourages society to uphold the dignity of every human person, regardless of their physical or mental state.
    • The Church calls on healthcare providers and policymakers to reject physician-assisted suicide and instead focus on providing compassionate care for those facing serious illness or the end of life.
Position on the Death Penalty:
    • The Church opposes the use of the death penalty as a means of punishment because it undermines the value of human life.
    • The Church supports alternative forms of punishment that respect the dignity of the human person and protect the common good.
    • The Church encourages the use of non-violent forms of punishment and rehabilitation, as well as the restoration of justice for victims and their families.
    • The Church calls on society to reject the death penalty as a means of punishment and instead focus on promoting a culture of life and respect for human dignity.
    • The Church supports ongoing efforts to abolish the death penalty worldwide and encourages the use of alternative forms of punishment that respect the dignity of the human person.
Position on Abortion:
    • The Catholic Church believes that every human life is sacred from conception to natural death.
    • The Church teaches that abortion is a grave moral evil and goes against the sanctity of life.
    • The Church supports the right of every person to life and calls for society to respect the dignity of every human person, regardless of their stage of development.
    • The Church encourages women facing unexpected pregnancies to choose life for their unborn children and provides support and resources for them and their families.
    • The Church opposes the legalization of abortion and calls for society to protect the lives of the unborn and promote a culture of life.
    • The Church calls on healthcare providers and policymakers to reject abortion and instead focus on providing compassionate care for women and their families, as well as promoting alternatives to abortion.