Sanctity of Life Exam

Dignity

Everyone has it because they are a child of God (Gen 1:27-31)

Can't be taken away

"Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity" - US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Human life

All life is scared

All humans have a right to life

Size, age, race, financial status, stage of development, physical ability, & disability do not matter

Roe v. Wade

January 22, 1973

Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution protects a women's liberty to have an abortion (legalized abortion)

Dobbs v. Jackson

June 24th, 2022

Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade & returned power to outlaw abortion to the states

Church's response to abortion

Seen as a sin but there are some exceptions

“Be merciful as your heavenly father is merciful” (Luke 6:36)

The church offers assistance to those in crisis pregnancies (financial, medical, housing, child care, job training, & job placement)

Project Rachel

Project Rachel

The church's response to those who need healing from an abortion

"Thus says the LORD: In Ramah is heard the sound of sobbing, bitter weeping! Rachel mourns for her children; she refuses to be consoled for her children - they are no more!" (Jeremiah 31:15)

Furman v. Georgia

1972

Supreme Court voided 40 death penalty statuses and suspended the death penalty

Gregg v. Georgia

1976

Reinstated the death penalty and left the decision of legalizing it up to each state

Church's response to capital punishment (death penalty)

Pope John Paul II's Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae)

All humans have dignity no matter what

All humans deserve a chance at salvation

Society can be protected without killing (ex: life without parole)

The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae)

Written by Pope John Paul II

Says that modern society has means of effectively suppressing crime by rendering criminals harmless without denying them a chance to reform

Warns against a “culture of death” that promotes abortion and euthanasia & promotes a “culture of life”

Restorative justice

Repairing harm and bringing victims together to fix relations

Retributive justice

Punishing the offender

Euthanasia

Painless killing of a person suffering from an incurable disease, irreversible coma, etc.

Actively ending a person's life to alleviate suffering (mercy killing)

Ordinary means of care

Medicines, treatments, operations, etc that offer reasonable hope or benefit and can be easily obtained

Church says we shouldn't withhold this care

Extraordinary means of care

Medicines, treatments, operations, etc that don't offer reasonable hope or benefit and can't be easily obtained

Church says we can withhold or discontinue this care

Suicide

Considered wrong by the church - goes against inclination to preserve life, violates 5th commandment, & rejects God's sovereignty

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility one committing suicide

Consistent life ethic

Being "pro life" means more than being against abortion

Means defending life in all circumstances

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin - lecture at Fordham (1983)

"Seamless garment" (John 19:23-24)