Right to Life

1. What the Church teaches about Right to Life

2. What is “Right to Life”? • “A moral principle based on the belief that a human being has the right to live and, in particular, should not be unjustly killed by another human being” • It’s not just abortion, it extends to all people http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a5.htm

3. What does the church say? • The Catechism says… • Human life is sacred because in the beginning we are created by God, and we remain forever in a special relationship with Him, 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 himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being

4. Abortion • Human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception • From the first moment of existence a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person • The embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being

5. Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide • Euthanasia is putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying people • Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect • Sick or handicapped people should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible

6. Suicide • God remains the master of all life, we should accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls • Life isn’t ours to dispose of • Suicide is contrary to the love for the living God • But, if one with psychological disturbances, anguish, or fear of hardship, suffering, or torture commits suicide, their responsibility is diminished

7. Capital Punishment • The state has the right to stop the spread of behavior harmful to people’s rights and to the basic rules of society as long as it safeguards the common good • Public authority has the right and duty to inflict punishment depending on the seriousness of the person’s offense • The church does not exclude use of the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of defending human lives against the criminal • If non-lethal means are sufficient, those should be used instead

8. Self Defense • We have a right to protect our own right to life • Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to take the life of his aggressor • Those who hold authority have the right to use arms to protect the community and others

9. Morality of War • The danger of war always is present • The Church urges all prayer and action so that the divine Goodness may prevent war • All citizens and governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war • Once all peace efforts have failed, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense