Reverence for Human LifeReverence for Human Life

DefinedDefined

• Sacred gift to be cared for until its Sacred gift to be cared for until its natural endnatural end

• Calls us to care for all human life from Calls us to care for all human life from its beginning to its endits beginning to its end

Jesus as a modelJesus as a model

• Always had a reverence for human lifeAlways had a reverence for human life

• Garden of GethsemaneGarden of Gethsemane

Catholic viewCatholic view

• Defend lifeDefend life

• ““It is impossible to further the common It is impossible to further the common good without defending the right to good without defending the right to life” (Pope John Paul II)life” (Pope John Paul II)

• ““God alone is the Lord of life from its God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end” (CCC)beginning until its end” (CCC)

IssuesIssues

• AbortionAbortion

• Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research

• The Death PenaltyThe Death Penalty

• EuthanasiaEuthanasia

• WarWar

AbortionAbortion

Defined:Defined:• Medical technique whereby an unborn Medical technique whereby an unborn

fetus is terminatedfetus is terminated

HistoryHistory• 1973 – Roe v. Wade1973 – Roe v. Wade• 1992 – Casey v. Planned Parenthood1992 – Casey v. Planned Parenthood• 2007 – Gonzalez v. Carhart2007 – Gonzalez v. Carhart

Abortion factsAbortion facts

• 1.3 million abortions occur each year in 1.3 million abortions occur each year in the U.S.the U.S.

• Most are between the ages of 15-24Most are between the ages of 15-24

• U. S. teens have abortions more than U. S. teens have abortions more than twice the rate of their peers in Europetwice the rate of their peers in Europe

Abortion viewsAbortion views

Pro-Life:Pro-Life:• Abortions are wrong and should not be an Abortions are wrong and should not be an

optionoption

Pro-Choice:Pro-Choice:• A woman should have the right to choose A woman should have the right to choose

whether or not to have an abortionwhether or not to have an abortion

Church’s view:Church’s view:• Life begins at conception and therefore an Life begins at conception and therefore an

abortion is murderabortion is murder

Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research

• Stem cells are cells that have the Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into many potential to develop into many different cell types in the body different cell types in the body (NIH.gov)(NIH.gov)

Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research

Pros:Pros:

• Could possibly cure diseases such as Could possibly cure diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, heart Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes, arthritisdisease, diabetes, arthritis

Cons:Cons:

• Some cells (embryonic cells) require Some cells (embryonic cells) require that a human embryo be destroyed in that a human embryo be destroyed in order to extract the right cellsorder to extract the right cells

Church on stem cellsChurch on stem cells

• Embryonic stem cells should not be Embryonic stem cells should not be used but “adult stem cells represent a used but “adult stem cells represent a more reasonable and human method more reasonable and human method for making correct progress.” for making correct progress.”

DECLARATION ON THE PRODUCTION AND THE SCIENTIFIC AND THERAPEUTIC DECLARATION ON THE PRODUCTION AND THE SCIENTIFIC AND THERAPEUTIC USE OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLSUSE OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

EuthanasiaEuthanasia

A specific act done intentionally to A specific act done intentionally to directly cause death in a patientdirectly cause death in a patient

• Comes from the Greek term meaning Comes from the Greek term meaning “good death”“good death”

Active EuthanasiaActive Euthanasia

Putting a person to death through Putting a person to death through administering a lethal dose of administering a lethal dose of medicationmedication

Passive EuthanasiaPassive Euthanasia

Putting a person to death by not doing Putting a person to death by not doing something to prevent deathsomething to prevent death

• Ex: Not providing medication or Ex: Not providing medication or treatmenttreatment

Church’s viewChurch’s view

Not morally acceptable to take a life in order to Not morally acceptable to take a life in order to relieve sufferingrelieve suffering

TreatmentsTreatments• Must be proportionate (the benefits from the Must be proportionate (the benefits from the

treatment must be treatment must be ≥≥ the pain from the the pain from the treatment)treatment)

• Pain killers should be used with the intention Pain killers should be used with the intention of easing painof easing pain

Living Wills & DNRsLiving Wills & DNRs

• Do Not Resuscitate: If the patient is in a Do Not Resuscitate: If the patient is in a vegetative state, life support is not vegetative state, life support is not allowed allowed

• Church’s view: Morally acceptableChurch’s view: Morally acceptable– A respect for life means granting a natural A respect for life means granting a natural

endend

Death PenaltyDeath Penalty

• The intentional taking of a life as The intentional taking of a life as punishment for a crimepunishment for a crime

• Throughout history it has existed in Throughout history it has existed in almost every culturealmost every culture

U.S. Death Penalty FactsU.S. Death Penalty Facts

• Over 900 completed executions since 1976 Over 900 completed executions since 1976 • Over 3,700 remain on death rowOver 3,700 remain on death row• Outlawed by 12 states plus D.C.Outlawed by 12 states plus D.C.• Supported by every presidentSupported by every president• 79% of Americans support the D.P.79% of Americans support the D.P.• One death penalty costs an average of $2.3 One death penalty costs an average of $2.3

million, about three times the cost of million, about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a maximum security imprisoning someone in a maximum security prison for 40 yearsprison for 40 years

Church’s viewChurch’s view

• Condemns the use of the D.P.Condemns the use of the D.P.

Just War TheoryJust War Theory

• A set of criteria used to determine if a A set of criteria used to determine if a war is justwar is just

• First established by AugustineFirst established by Augustine

RequirementsRequirements

1.1. It must be declared by a legitimate It must be declared by a legitimate authority.authority.

2.2. It must be waged in the face of a It must be waged in the face of a grave injustice.grave injustice.

3.3. It must be a last resort.It must be a last resort.

RequirementsRequirements

4.4. The actions must be proportional.The actions must be proportional.

5.5. There must be some assurance of There must be some assurance of success.success.

6.6. It must cease when justice and fair It must cease when justice and fair terms for peace are secured. terms for peace are secured.