Choosing Life: All Human Life Is Sacred

Core Catholic Principles: Sacredness and Equality of Life

The Catholic approach to human life issues is based on two core truths:

1. Human life is sacred.

   • Each life originates from God, is loved by God, and is destined for God. "God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end" (CCC, 2258).

   • Respect for life's sacredness and human dignity are linked.

2. All human beings are equal.

   • Created in God's image, all possess equal dignity and fundamental human rights (adapted from The Church in the Modern World, 29).

   • This is the basis of Christian justice and the "life and dignity of the human person" principle.

   • Warning: Deeming any group "less human" implies dignity is human-conferred, making the vulnerable susceptible to dehumanization. Protecting one group's life and dignity requires protecting all.

A Consistent Life Ethic: The Seamless Garment

• Addressing Difficult Situations: Life issues are challenging and demand compassion for all, including the unborn, disabled, poor, elderly, ill, and those guilty of crimes.

• Cardinal Joseph Bernardin's Contribution: Coined "consistent ethic of life," also called the "seamless garment."

• The Seamless Garment Metaphor:

  • Derived from Jesus' seamless tunic (John's Gospel), symbolizing the Church's teaching on life as a consistent whole.

  • The right to life is crucial, underpinning all other rights, and is threatened by violence or anything that undermines it.

• Interconnectedness of Life Issues: Bernardin argued against "tearing apart" issues like:

  • Abortion

  • The death penalty

  • Human trafficking

  • Racism

  • War

  • Any other issue impacting human life and dignity.

• Consistency in Action:

  • Pro-life beyond birth: Advocates for the unborn must also support the quality of life for the powerless post-birth (old, young, hungry, homeless, immigrants, unemployed).

  • Avoiding Hypocrisy: Society cannot protect the unborn while rejecting compassion and public programs for the needy. The well-being of each individual and all people are interrelated.

Actions Opposed to Life and Dignity

Based on The Church in the Modern World (27), "infamies" are actions opposed to life or insult human dignity:

• Opposed to Life Itself:

  • Murder (any type)

  • Genocide

  • Abortion

  • Euthanasia

  • Willful self-destruction (suicide)

• Insults to Human Dignity:

  • Subhuman living conditions

  • Arbitrary imprisonment, deportation

  • Slavery, prostitution, selling of women and children

  • Disgraceful working conditions treating individuals as instruments for gain.

These actions "poison human society" and harm practitioners more than victims.

Practical Application: Catholic Guardian Services (CGS)

Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) exemplifies the consistent ethic of life by valuing life and dignity through its services.

• Organizational Context: Multiservice organization under Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New York.

• Mission: Addresses fundamental needs of disadvantaged, underserved, impoverished families, and individuals with special needs.

• Core Values: Values all life, focuses on family, and upholds a preferential option for the poor.

• Key Programs and Services:

  • Parenting Resource Center: Improves maternal and child health via in-home visits, maternity classes (breastfeeding, budgeting, development), and support groups. Aims to prevent/support during family crises.

  • Foster Care and Child Welfare Services: Care and support for children.

  • Family Support Services: Strengthens families.

  • Disability Services: Supports individuals with disabilities.

  • Unaccompanied Minors' Program: Shelters children from Central/South America escaping abuse (trafficking, gang violence, forced labor). Provides healthcare, education, trauma counseling, necessities, pro bono legal help for family reunification, and transitional homes.