Human Life and Dignity

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From the USCCB – the U.S. Bishops’ collection of Church teaching on every matter of human life, from conception to natural death – begins:

For the Church, there is no distinction between defending human life and promoting the dignity of the human person.

Pope Benedict XVI writes in Caritas in Veritate. . . that “The Church forcefully maintains this link between life ethics and social ethics, fully aware that ‘a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized.'” (no. 15).

As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The life and dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition. The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights that leads Catholics to actively work for a world of greater respect for human life and greater commitment to justice and peace.

Writings on the Church’s teachings on every matter of human life can be accessed on the Bishops’ site here.

Catholic Answers Guide on the Five Non-Negotiables for Serious Catholics

Contraception/Birth Control/Abortion

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Same-Sex Unions

Euthanasia

Human Cloning