Catholic Teachings on Ethics and Moral Theology

In-vitro fertilization (IVF)

The procedure typically involves hormonal treatments, egg retrieval, fertilization in a dish, and embryo transfer to the womb.

IVG (in vitro gametogenesis)

Uses a cell instead of eggs, potentially making it more of a laboratory procedure.

C. S. Lewis on sexual ethics

C. S. Lewis's teachings on sexual ethics are not detailed in this guide.

Family caregiving responsibilities

Parents have a serious duty to form and educate children in the Catholic faith.

Fourth Commandment

Children have a serious duty to honour their father and mother.

Neglecting responsibilities

Neglecting those for whom one is responsible can lead to inhospitality or greed.

Requirements for valid Sacrament of Matrimony

Formal requirements for validity include following canonical form, free and uncoerced consent, and the absence of impediments.

Impediments to marriage

Examples include prior bond, kinship, and holy orders.

Essential properties of marriage

Both parties must intend fidelity (exclusivity and permanence) and openness to life (procreation).

Fraud/deception in marriage

Hiding infertility or intending not to have children can invalidate consent.

Catholic social teaching: stewardship

Stewardship is humanity's God-given responsibility to care for creation and its resources.

Stewardship

It is a way of seeing the world, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God to be shared and managed responsibly.

Human rights beginning at birth

Catholic teaching holds that human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.

Inviolable right to life

From the first moment of existence, a human being has the rights of a person, including the inviolable right to life.

Definition of chastity

Chastity addresses human sexuality and purity of heart, promoting respect for the body and others.

Purity of mind and heart

Chastity involves purity of mind (thoughts) and purity of heart (desires).

Theology of the Body (Pope John Paul II)

Refers to John Paul II exploring God's design for human love, sexuality, and marriage through Scripture, philosophy, and theology.

Catholic teaching on organ donation

Generally viewed as a commendable act of charity if performed freely and without harm to the donor.

Catholic perspective on euthanasia

Euthanasia is defined as an action or omission that of itself and by intention causes death, to eliminate all suffering.

Fifth Commandment

The Catholic view is that euthanasia violates the Fifth Commandment ('You shall not kill').

Principle of Double Effect

Does not apply to euthanasia because the intention is to directly cause death.

Intellectual theft

Related to the Seventh Commandment's prohibition against unjustly taking what belongs to another.

Conditions for mortal sin

Mortal sin causes loss of sanctifying grace and permanent separation from God. The traditional three conditions are: (1) grave matter, (2) full knowledge, and (3) deliberate consent.

Sin

Classic definitions include Augustine's 'any deed, word, or desire that violates eternal law' and Aquinas's 'a violation of the moral law.' It is a transgression against God, disobedience, or a revolt against God; to 'miss the mark.'

Types of sin

Sin can be of commission (action) or omission (inaction). Sin is its own punishment. Categorized as Mortal (leads to death/separation from God) or Venial (does not lead to death).

What is religion

The virtue of religion is a way of life oriented toward proper worship of God. Its purpose is to adore the one God, which integrates man and saves him from disintegration.

Sins against religion

Sins against it include irreligion, sacrilege, simony, and tempting God (against the First Commandment).

Nature of oaths and perjury

An oath calls upon God as a witness to truth (assertory) or intention (promissory). Perjury, which is lying under oath, would be a grave matter, violating the Second Commandment.

Types of oaths

An assertory oath calls God as a witness to the truth of what is said. A promissory oath calls God as a witness to what a person intends to do in the future.

Conditions for making a vow

A vow is a deliberate and free promise made to God concerning a possible and better good. Conditions include: it must be a clear promise and commitment expressed as an act of devotion.

Mass

The Mass is the principal sacramental celebration of the Church, established by Jesus at the Last Supper. It renews and accomplishes the mystery of salvation through participation in Christ's sacrificial Death and Resurrection.

History of the Mass

Originally in private homes, moved to public spaces post-Edict of Milan. Constantine's laws prohibited servile work on Sundays (connecting rest with worship).

Essential elements of the Mass

Essential elements (always present, developed into): Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

C. S. Lewis on praise

Lewis states that God demands praise not from insecurity, but because praise completes our enjoyment of Him.

The Tenth Commandment

The Tenth Commandment specifically prohibits coveting your neighbour's goods (desiring unjustly what belongs to another).

Grave matter

A condition for mortal sin where the act itself is serious and significant.

Full knowledge

A condition for mortal sin where the person is aware that the act is seriously wrong.

Deliberate consent

A condition for mortal sin where the person freely chooses to commit the act.

Venial sin

A type of sin that does not lead to death.

Irreligion

A sin against the virtue of religion, characterized by a lack of proper worship of God.

Sacrilege

A sin against the virtue of religion that involves disrespect towards sacred things.

Simony

A sin against the virtue of religion that involves the buying or selling of spiritual things.

Tempting God

A sin against the virtue of religion that involves testing God's power or goodness.

Nature and role of the family

The family is defined as a community of love, an intimate community of life and love, and the ideal setting for raising children. It is formed by a man and a woman united in marriage, with their children.

Cooperation in evil

Cooperation in evil is help given to another in the execution of a sinful purpose.

Formal Cooperation

Willing cooperation, intends the evil, equally guilty.

Implicit Formal Cooperation

Willfully facilitates a known sinful action, equally guilty.

Material Cooperation

Action plays a role in the evil deed but lacks deliberate consent/intention.

Immediate Material Cooperation

Necessary to the sinful act.

Mediate Material Cooperation

Secondary/non-essential assistance.

Children's duties to parents

The Fourth Commandment states: 'Honour thy father and mother.' The meaning of 'Honour' is to acknowledge the person; it implies an attitude of unselfishness, a sincere gift of person to person, converging with love.

Authority and obedience to civil law

Authority deserves respect due to its divine origin. The civil authority has an obligation to respect fundamental human rights and guarantee conditions for their possibility.

Principle of Subsidiarity

Higher authorities should not interfere with lower authorities without necessity.

Higher authority

This concept is central to the principle of subsidiarity, dictating that a higher authority must not interfere with a lower authority without necessity.

The right to life

Every human life, from conception until death, is sacred. From the first moment of existence, a human being has the rights of a person, including the inviolable right to life.

Environmental stewardship

Involves the duty to care for God's creation, recognizing the environment as a gift for everyone, including the poor and future generations.

Private property

A right founded on human nature. While upheld, wealth must be used responsibly.

Universal Destination of Goods

The Church's teaching that Earth's resources are meant for all people; hoarding or exploiting them is sinful.

Mortal Sin

A type of sin that causes loss of sanctifying grace and suggests a choice of permanent separation from God. It requires grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.

Vice

A settled habit caused by repeated sinful actions that disposes a person to further sinful actions. (Example: Greed developed from habitual coveting; habitual lying)

Original Sin

The first sin of Adam and Eve, which caused a fallen state of human nature inherited by all. Its consequences include both physical evil (suffering, death) and moral evil (inclination to sin). (Example: The inclination to selfishness or pride, even without conscious choice)

Physical Evil

One consequence of Original Sin, referring to suffering, pain, disease, and death. (Example: Natural disasters, illness, physical pain)

Moral Evil

One consequence of Original Sin, refers to sin as wrong actions committed by human beings. (Example: Murder, theft, hatred)

Cooperation with Evil

Help given to another in the execution of a sinful purpose. (Example: Providing tools for a robbery (material cooperation); actively participating in unjust discrimination (formal cooperation))

Object (of a moral act)

That toward which the will directs itself; the act itself. It is the primary determinant of an action's moral quality. (Example: In the act of stealing, the 'object' is the taking of another's property)

Intention (of a moral act)

A movement of the will toward an end; the reason or purpose behind the action. A good intention cannot justify an intrinsically evil object. (Example: Giving to charity with the intention of looking good to others)

Circumstances (of a moral act)

The context surrounding the action (who, where, when, how), including consequences. They can increase or diminish moral responsibility, but cannot change an intrinsically evil act's moral quality. (Example: Stealing a large sum of money vs. a small sum; stealing from the poor vs. the rich)

Consequentialism

Ethical theory evaluating actions based solely on their outcomes/consequences; suggests 'the ends justify the means.' (Example: Believing that lying is acceptable if it leads to a good outcome for many people)

Proportionalism

Ethical theory evaluates actions based on the balance of good and bad effects, sometimes implying that a good outcome can justify an otherwise morally questionable act. (Example: Deciding an act is moral if the perceived good consequences outweigh the perceived bad consequences, even if the act itself might be inherently problematic)

Situation Ethics

The idea that moral decisions should be based on the specific context or unique circumstances of a situation rather than fixed laws; concludes universal laws cannot apply due to unique circumstances. (Example: Arguing that adultery might be morally permissible in a specific, unique situation if it brings about a perceived 'loving' outcome)

Chastity

Addresses human sexuality and purity of heart; involves purity of mind (thoughts) and purity of heart (desires). (Example: A single person refraining from sexual activity; a married couple practicing marital fidelity)

Idolatry

Not only false pagan worship but a constant temptation; perversion of the innate religious sense, transferring the notion of God to anything other than God.

Divination

All forms are rejected (horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, clairvoyance, mediums) as they conceal a desire for power over time and history, rather than trusting in God. (Example: Consulting a psychic to learn about the future)

Atheism

Denies the existence of God; often based on a false conception of human autonomy, refusing dependence on God. (Example: A person who claims there is no God and lives without belief in a divine being)

Theological Virtues

Faith, Hope, and Charity. They dispose Christians to live in a relationship with God, with God as their origin, motive, and object; the foundation of Christian moral activity. (Example: A person acting with trust in God's plan (Faith); enduring trials with confidence in God's help (Hope); sacrificing for another out of love (Charity))

Virtue of Religion

A way of life oriented toward proper worship of God. (Example: Participating in Mass, engaging in private prayer, living a life that honours God)

Oath

Calls upon God as a witness to the truth of what is said (assertory) or what is intended (promissory). (Example: Swearing 'so help me God' in court to tell the truth)

Vow

A deliberate and free promise made to God concerning a possible and better good. (Example: A religious sister taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; a marriage vow made to God)

Leisure

Temporary freedom from occupations for enjoyment and worship; related to worship, as without it, leisure becomes laziness. (Example: Spending Sunday afternoon in prayer and family time after Mass; engaging in a hobby for refreshment)

Truthfulness

More than a rule, a reflection of God's heart; entails honesty and discretion, keeping the just meaning between what to express and what to keep secret; an unconditional moral duty. (Example: Being honest in business dealings; keeping a confided secret)

Lying

Speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving; speaking or acting against truth to lead someone into error; contrary to human nature. (Example: Telling a false story to avoid blame)

White Lie

A minor or socially acceptable lie told to avoid harm, spare feelings, or prevent conflict; often rationalized as harmless. (Example: Telling a friend their outfit looks good to spare their feelings, even if you don't truly think so)

Calumny (Slander)

Spreading known falsehoods to damage another's reputation; a mortal sin if it causes significant harm. (Example: Falsely accusing someone of a crime to ruin their career)

Detraction

Revealing true but hidden faults of others without a just cause; a sin against charity and justice, robbing a person of their good reputation. (Example: Telling others about a past mistake someone made, even if true, for no good reason)

Gossip

Disclosing the faults and failings of another person to those unaware, without valid reason, distorts reality and poisons relationships. (Example: Sharing negative personal details about a coworker with others)

Flattery

Excessive or deceitful praise used to manipulate, gain favour, or exploit others; a sin against truth when it deceives or encourages sin.

Conditions for Permissibility

The Act Itself is Morally Good or Indifferent: The action performed must not be intrinsically evil.

Underlying Premise

One may never do something evil to obtain a good end; the ends do not justify the means.

Example Application of Principle of Double Effect

Removal of an ectopic pregnancy: If an ectopic pregnancy threatens the mother's life, the removal of the fallopian tube (salpingectomy) is permissible.

Object in Double Effect

Removal of the fallopian tube (morally indifferent).

Intention in Double Effect

To save the mother's life (morally good). The death of the embryo is an unintended, tragic consequence.

Bad Effect in Double Effect

This is not the means to save the mother; saving the mother's life results from removing the diseased tube, not directly from the embryo's death.

Proportionate Reason in Double Effect

Saving the mother's life is a proportionately serious reason.

Scandal in Double Effect

This can be explained as a necessary medical intervention to save life.

Marriage

Formed by a man and a woman united in marriage, with their children. It is an intimate community of life and love, and the ideal setting for raising children.

Purpose of Marriage

Marriage finds its identity and mission in God's plan. Its essence is specified by love, and its mission is to guard, reveal, and communicate love, reflecting God's love.

Euthanasia

An action or omission that of itself and by intention causes death, with the sole purpose of eliminating all suffering.