morality unit 4

grace

The free and undeserved gift of God's loving and active presence in our lives.

sanctifying grace

The grace that heals our human nature wounded by sin and restores us to friendship with God.

actual graces

God's interventions and support for us in the everyday moments of our lives.

sacramental graces

The gifts proper to each of the Seven Sacraments.

special graces

Gifts intended for the common good of the Church, also called charisms.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Seven traditional gifts given to us to live as disciples and to build up the Church.

Cardinal Virtues

Four virtues that are viewed as pivotal or essential for full Christian living.

prudence

Cardinal Virtue by which a person is inclined toward choosing the moral good and avoiding evil.

justice

Cardinal Virtue that ensures we give to God and neighbor, particularly those who are poor and oppressed, what is due them.

temperance

Cardinal Virtue by which one moderates his or her appetites and passions.

fortitude

Cardinal Virtue that enables one to maintain sound moral judgment and behavior in the face of difficulties and challenges.

Theological Virtues

The three virtues that draw us into deeper knowledge and relationship with the Holy Trinity.

faith

Theological Virtue by which one freely accepts God's full Revelation in Jesus Christ.

hope

Theological Virtue by which we trust in the promise of God and expect from God eternal life.

love

Theological Virtue by which we love God above all things and love our neighbors as ourselves.

culpable

To be guilty of wrongdoing.

conscience formation

Educating ourselves about Divine Law so our conscience will lead us to good moral choices.

Fifth Commandment

You shall not kill.

murder

What is the obvious sin prohibited by the Fifth Commandment?

scandal

An action or attitude—or the failure to act—that leads another person into sin.

seamless garment of life

An image teaching that all human life must be protected from natural conception to natural death.

abortion

The deliberate termination of a pregnancy by killing the unborn child.

excommunication

A severe penalty that results from grave sin identified in Church law.

euthanasia

A direct action, or a deliberate lack of action, causing the death of a person who is disabled, sick, or dying.

suicide

Deliberately taking one's own life; wrong because it is God's will that we preserve our life.

death penalty

What is inadmissible in today's world because we can keep dangerous criminals locked away for life?

legitimate defense

The teaching that you can use the amount of force necessary to defend yourself or your nation.

just war

The teaching that a state may use war to protect its citizens only if strict criteria are met.

prenatal testing

Testing an embryo or fetus for diseases or birth defects while it is still in the womb.

genetic engineering

What is the manipulation of an ovum or fetus's DNA coding?

Sixth Commandment

You shall not commit adultery.

Ninth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

nuptial

Something related to marriage and the union of husband and wife.

generative

Something related to the power of producing new life.

chastity

The moral virtue by which people are able to healthfully integrate their sexuality into their total person.

temperance

The Cardinal Virtue by which one moderates his or her appetites and passions.

concupiscence

The tendency of all human beings toward sin, as a result of Original Sin.

fornication

Sexual intercourse between a man and a woman who are not married; a sin.

prostitution

The act of providing sexual services in exchange for money, drugs, or other goods; a sin.

masturbation

Self-manipulation of one's sexual organs for the purpose of erotic pleasure; a sin.

pornography

A written description or visual portrayal of a person or action that is intended to stimulate sexual feelings.

annulment

The declaration by the Church that a marriage is null and void; that is, it never existed as a sacramental union.

contraception

The use of mechanical, chemical, or medical procedures to prevent conception from taking place; morally wrong.

adultery

Sexual activity between two persons, at least one of whom is married to someone else; a sin.

polygamy

Having more than one spouse; morally wrong.

cohabitation

A man and woman living together before marriage; morally wrong.

in vitro fertilization

The fertilization of a woman's ovum (egg) with man's sperm outside her body; morally wrong.

artificial insemination

Uniting a man's sperm and a woman's egg in a manner other than natural sexual intercourse; morally wrong.

surrogate motherhood

A medical process in which a woman becomes pregnant through artificial means, often carrying someone else's child; morally wrong.