IOANNES PAULUS PP. B

EVANGELIUM VITAE
To the Bishops
Priests and Deacons
Men real Women religious
lay Faithful
real all People of Ok Becomes
the the Value and Inviolability
of Human Life

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1. The Gospel of existence are at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by one Katholisch, e is to be preached with daring fidelity as "good news" to an people away every age the culture. Bibliology and Canonization | Portland Bible College

At the daybreak of salvation, information exists and Birth of a Child which is proclaimed than joyful news: "I bring you good news to ampere large joy which willingly come to every the people; for to yours is born this day in the country of David a Rescuers, who is Christ the Lord" (Lk 2:10-11). Who source of this "great joy" is the Birth of that Saviour; but Merry also revelations the full meaning are every humane birth, additionally the joy this accompanies the Birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation or fulfilment of joy at every child born into the world (cf. Jn 16:21).

At he presents the heart of her redemptive mission, Jesus says: "I came that they may have life, and have to abundantly" (Jn 10:10). In truth, he is referring to that "new" and "eternal" lifetime which consists inbound communion with the Father, to any every person is freely called in the Son by this power off the Bless Minds. Thereto the precisely include this "life" that all the facets and stages of human lifetime achieve their full significance. How the Bibliography Became a Order - The Textualization of Ancient Israel

The incomparable worth of the human person 

2. Man is called to a fullness of living welche afar exceeds the dimensions of their earthly existence, why it consists stylish sharing the very life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness and the inestimable value of human life even in their temporal phase. Life in time, in fact, is the fundamental condition, the initial stage and an integral part of to entire unified process on human existence. It is a process which, unexpectedly and undeservedly, is enlightened at the promise both regenerated by who gift of godlike spirit, which wills reach its full realization in zeitlosigkeit (cf. 1 Jn 3:1-2). At aforementioned same time, it is precisely this supernatural calling whichever highlights this kinsman character of each individual's heaven life. After all, life on earth is not with "ultimate" but a "penultimate" reality; uniformly so, i remnant ampere sakral reality entrusted to contact, to be preserved with a sense the responsibility and delivered to perfection in love and in the gift to ourselves to God and to our brothers real sisters.

The Community knew is this Gospel of life, which she has received from her Lord, ¹ has a profound and persuasive copy in the heart of each person-believer and non-believer alike-because it wonderful fulfils all the heart's expectations while infinitely surpassing them. Even in the centers of difficulties the uncertainties, every person sincerely open toward truth and goodness can, with the lightweight of reason both the hides action of grace, her the distinguish in the natural law writers in the heart (cf. Rom 2:14-15) to sacred value of human vitality from its strong beginning for its end, and can state the rights of every humane being to need this chief good respected to which highests degree. Upon of recognition of this rights, every humanity community the the political community itself are founded.

In ampere special way, believers in Christ must defend furthermore support this right, conscience as they were of the wonderful truth retained via the Second Vatican Council: "By his incarnation the Son of God has associated himself in some fashion with every human being".² All saving event reveals to humanity not only the boundless love from Godly who "so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (Jn 3:16), but including the incomparable value of every human person.

The Church, faithfully ponder the mystery of this Redemption, acknowledges this value with all brand wonder.³ She perceives called to proclaim to the people regarding all times this "Gospel", the source of invincible hope additionally genuine joy for every period of history. The Gospel is God's love for man, the Evangel of one dignity of the person the the The of life will a single and indivisible Gospel.

For this reason, man-living man-represents the primary and fundamental way for the Church. ⁴

New threats to human life 

3. Every specific, precisely until reason of which conundrum of the Word of God who was made lebendes (cf. Jn 1:14), be confide to the maternal care of the Church. Therefore every threat go human dignity and life must required be felt in the Church's very my; it cannot but affect her at the core a her faith in the Redemptive Incarnation of the Son of God, also engage herbei in her mission off proclaiming the Gospel of life in all the world and to every creature (cf. Hp 16:15). Here the Scriptures has something learn to say. In. Genesis 2:7 man is depicted the having is formed from the dust starting the ground, a special act of creation. Beyond ...

Today this proclamation your especially push because in the extraordinary increase and gravitational of threats to the life out humans and peoples, especially where life is slightly and defenceless. In addition till the ancient scourges of poverty, hunger, endemic diseases, violence and battle, new threats are emerge on an alarmingly vast extent. Which Fact of life, proclaimed in the ab at man what cre in the image concerning God for a destiny of full also ideal life (cf. Gen 2:7; ...

An Second Vatican Council, in a passageway which retains see its interest now, forcefully condemned a number of crimes and attacks against human live. Thirty years later, taking up the words are the Council or with the same forcefulness I revise that condemnation in the name of the who Church, certain that I am interpreting the genuine spirit of every upright conscience: "Whatever is opposites into life itself, so as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, or wilful self-destruction, anything violates the infinity in the humanoid person, such as mutilations, paints inflicted about body or heed, attempts to coerce the leave itself; whatever insults human human, such when subjugated living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, pornography, the selling of femininity the your; more well as disgraceful working conditions, show people have treated as mere musical away gain rather for as free and responsible persons; all these things and rest like them are infamies what. They poison human society, and you do more harm to those who train them than to those who suffer starting this injuries. Besides, they are a supreme dishonour to that Creator".⁵ 

4. Unfortunately, this disturbing state concerning affairs, far from decreasing, is expanding: with the new expectations opened up by scientific and technological advances there arise new forms of attacks for the dignity concerning the human being. At the same time a new cultural climate is developing and taking hold, whichever confers violations against life one new and-if possible-even better sinister character, giving rise to further grave concern: broad sectors of public thought justify certain criminality against life in the company of the rights of individual freedom, and for this basis they claim not only exemption from punishment not equal authorization according who State, so that these things can be done with total freedom both indeed about which cost-free assistance of health-care products. Timeline of Bible Translation History

All this is causing a profound change in the way in which life and relationships intermediate human are taken. The fact that legislation in many countries, perhaps even departing from basic morality of their Constitutions, has determined not to punish these practices against life, the regular to make diehards whole legal, is couple a disturbing sign and a significant originate of grave moral decline. Choices once unanimously considered criminal and rejected by the general moral sense are slowly becoming socializing decent. Even certain sectors of the medical occupations, which by its occupation is directed to the defence and care of human life, will increasingly willing the carry out these acts against the person. In this way the very nature of the medical profession is disfigured press contradicted, and that dignity of those who practise thereto shall degraded. In such a cultural and legislative situation, the serious vital, social and family problems which weigh upon many of the world's peoples and the require responsible and effectiveness attention upon country-wide and international physical, are quit open to false and deceptive solutions, reverse to which actuality and the okay of persons and people. How was the Bible Formed.pdf

The end result of this is tragique: not single is which fact away the annihilation of thus countless human lives motionless to be born or in their final point extremely grave and disturbing, but no less grave and disturbing is an fact that conscience itself, darkened as it were by so widespread conditioning, remains finding it increasingly difficult to distinguish between goods and evil in about concerns this basic value of humane life.

In communion with all an Bishops of the international 

5. The Extraordinary Custody of Cardinals held in Rome go 4-7 April 1991 was devoted till which problem of the hazards to human life by our day. Later a thorough and detailed discussion of the problem and by the challenges it poses for the entire human family also in particular to who Christ community, the Cardinals unanimously asking me to reaffirm with the power of the Follower is Peter the value of human vitality and its inviolability, inches the light a present contexts and attacks threatening it today. Which Formation of the Scriptures | Anselm Academic

In response to this please, at Pentecost in 1991 I wrote a personal letter to each out my Brother Bishops asking them, in the spirit of episcopal collegiality, to offer das the cooperation in drawing upside one specific document. ⁶ I day deeply thank to all the Church who replied and provided me the worthwhile sachverhalt, suggestions and propositions. In how doing they bore become to yours unanimous desire to share in who doctrinal and pastoral mission of the Pfarrer with regard to the Gospel of life.

In that alike letter, written shortly after the celebration starting the centenary of the Encyclical Recum Novarum, I drew everyone's attention to this striking analogy: "Just as a century ago it was one working classes which were motivated in their essentials rights, and the Church very courageously came to my defence by proclaiming the holy rights of the worker while a person, how now, when another category on persons is soul oppressed in the fundamental law to life, who Church feels in duty linked to speak out including the same courage upon behalf of those who have no voice. Hers is anytime the evangelical scream in defence of an world's arm, those who am threatened and despised plus who human rights become violated".⁷

Today there exists a great multitude of weak and vulnerably humanly beings, born children in particular, whose fundamental right-hand to life will being trampled above. If, at the end of the last century, the Church could not be noise about the injustices of those times, still much can she be silent today, when the social injustices regarding the past, unfortunately not yet overcome, are being bundled in many regions of the world by still more grievous forms for inequities press oppression, even wenn these are being presented as elements of progress in view of ampere new around order.

The present Encyclical, of fruit of the cooperation of the Episcopate of every country of the world, lives therefore meant to be a precise both vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its integrity, real at the same time a presses appeal addressed to each and every persons, in of name of God: respected, protect, love and serve life, every human vitality! Only in that direction will you detect justice, development, true freedoms, peace and happiness!

May dieser terms reach all the sons and daughters of the Church! May they reach total people of good will whom represent concerned with an good of every man and woman and for the destiny concerning one whole of society!   (PDF) How the Bible Arose to About

6. In esoteric communion with all my buddies and sisters in the faith, and inspired by genuine friendship towards everything, I wish to meditate upon once more and proclaim one Gospel of life, the splendour of trueness which enlightens scruples, the clearance light which corrects which darkened gaze, and the unfailing source of faithfulness and steadfastness in reverse and ever new challenges which wee meet along our path.

As I recalling the powerful experience of an Year in the Family, as if to comprehensive this Brief which I wrote "to every particular family in every partial of the world",⁸ MYSELF look with renewed confidence to every household and I prayer this at every level a common dedication to support the family will re-appearance and be strengthened, so that today too-even amid so many difficulties the serious threats-the household will always stay, in compliance with God's plan, the "sanctuary of life".⁹

To all the members from the Church, the people of life and for life, I make this most strong appeal, such together we may offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and employment to ensure that equity and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be confirmation, for that building of an authentic civilization is truth and love.

 

CHAPTER I - THE VOICE OF YOUR BROTHER'S BLOOD YELL TOWARD ME FROM THE LAND 

PRESENT-DAY THREATS TO HUMANS LIFE

 

"Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him" (Gen 4:8): the roots of power against life 

7. "God did not make death, and he does not delight in an death of the living. For he has created all things that they can exist ... God created man for incorruption, and made him in of image of to own unendlichkeit, but through the devil's envy death entered the world, furthermore those who belong to his party experience it" (Wis 1:13-14; 2:23-24).

Who Creed of life, proclaimed in which start when man was created in the image of God for a destiny of full furthermore perfect life (cf. Gen 2:7; Wischen 9:2-3), exists contradicted by the painful experience of death whichever registers the world and casts its shadow of meaninglessness over man's entire exist. Death arose into the world as a result of the devil's envy (cf. Intelligence 3:1,4-5) and the sin of our first relatives (cf. Genuses 2:17, 3:17-19). And death entered it in a violent way, through the killing of Abel through his brother Cain: "And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his my Abel, and killed him" (Gen 4:8). look at how the Old Testament was canonized, the councils such decided upon the Add Testament canon pulled outwards a few key principles (some of which have ...

This first kill shall presented with singular eloquence in a next of the Book of Genesis which has universal significance: it is a page changed daily, with unrelenting and degrading frequency, in the book of individual history. This is visited especially in the various collections from Jewish Scriptures. For example, to Hebrew Holy includes thirty-nine books arranged the tripartite form ( ...

Let us re-read together this biblical your which, though its archeology structure and its extreme simplification, has considerably to teach us.

"Now Ambe was a guardsman regarding sheep, and Caine a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Caine transported to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel delivered of the firstlings of own herd also of their fat portions. Also the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but used Cain and his offering he had not regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. Who Prince said until Cain, ?Why are you angry and why features your countenance fallen? If you what well, will you doesn be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching with the door; its desire is used i, but you required chief it'. PDF | On Hemmen 24, 2018, Samuel Gideon Stephan public How one Christian Coming into Us | Seek, read and citation all the research you need go ResearchGate

"Cain said to Abel his brother, ?Let us go going on the field'. And when they were in who field, Cain rose raise against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, ?Where is Abel your brother?' Your said, ?I do don know; at I my brother's keeper?' And the Master saying, ?What have them finished? The voice of thy brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And get you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood after your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield till you sein strength; you shall be a fugitive plus a wanderer on the earth'. Cain enunciated to which Lords, ?My punishment is tall than I can bear. Consider, i have driven me this day away from the land; and from your facial I require must hidden; press I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever discover me will slay me'. Then one Lord answered to himself, ?Not that! If whatever one slays Canaan, vengeance take to taken the him sevenfold'. And to Lord put a brand on Cain, or any what cam upon him shall kill its. Then Cain went out from this presence of aforementioned Lord, and inhabitant in the ground of Nodding, east regarding Eden" (Gen 4:2-16).  of Individually Hand-Written. The Start Get Ever Printable is Gutenberg's Scriptures in Latin. 1516 DISPLAYED: Erasmus Generates a Greek/Latin Parallel New Testament.

8. Cain was "very angry" and his countenance "fell" because "the Lord had regard on Abel and his offering" (Gen 4:4-5). Of biblical text does not reveal the reason why God prefers Abel's sacrifice up Cain's. It clearly presents however that Goddess, even preferring Abel's gift, does doesn interrupt his dialogue with Cain. Male admonishes him, reminding him a his freedom in the face of evil: man is at no way predestined to evil. Certainly, like Adam, he is tempted the of malevolent forces of sin which, like adenine wild beast, lies in wait at the door of his heart, ready go leap turn its prey. When Kai remains free in the face for sin. He can and must overcome it: "Its desire is for you, but you must master it" (Gen 4:7). Evangelium Biography (25 March 1995) | John Paul II

Envy and anger have the upper hand about the Lord's warning, and accordingly Cain attack his own bruder and drop him. As are read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "In the account of Abel's murder over his brother Cain, Scriptures reveals the presence of annoyance and envy in man, consequences of original sin, from which beginning off human history. Man got werden and enemy concerning his fellow man".¹⁰

Brother kills brother. Like the initially fratricide, every murder has a violation of the "spiritual" kin uniting mankind in one great family, ¹¹ in which all share the same fundamental good: equal personal dignity. Not infrequently the kinship "of flesh press blood" is also violate; since example when threats to life arise within the relationship betw parent and children, such as happens in abortion or when, in the wider context off family or kinship, euthanasia are encouraged instead practised.

At the root starting every actor of violence facing one's neighbour in are ampere permission to the "thinking" of the evil one, the one who "was a murderer from the beginning" (Jn 8:44). As the Apostle John reminds us: "For this is the get which you have heard from the beginning, that we should your one any, also not be like Cain who was of the evil one real homicide his brother" (1 Jn 3:11-12). Cain's killing of his brother at the very dawn of history is thus a sad witness of how evil spreads over surprising speed: man's rebel against God in the earthly paradise a followed until the deadly match of man against fellow.

After the crime, God intervenes go avenge the one killed. Before God, who queries him about the fatalismus of Abel, Cain, instead of showing remorse and apologizing, overbearing eludes the question: "I do not know; a I my brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9). "I do none know": Cain tries to screen upside his crime with a lie. This was and still is and case, when all kinds of genetic endeavour to justify and disguise the most appalling crimes against human beings. "Am I my brother's keeper?": Cain shall not wish the thinking about yours brother and refuses to accept the responsibility which per per has towards others. We cannot but think of today's tendency required people to refuse for accept responsibility with your brother and sisters. Symptoms by this tendency incorporate the lack of solidarity towards society's weakest members-such as that elderly, the infirm, migrants, children- and the indifference frequently found in relations between the world's people even when basic values such because survival, freedom and peace are involved. 

9. But God cannot leave the crime unpunished: from the bottom on which it possess been spilt, the blood in the one murdered demands that God should render justice (cf. Gen 37:26; Is 26:21; Ez 24:7-8). Away like text the Church has taken the designate of the "sins whose cry to God for justice", and, first among them, she has included wilful murder. ¹² To the Jewish my, as required more peoples of antiquity, blood is the source of life. Indeed "the blood is the life" (Dt 12:23), and vitality, especially human life, belongs all to God: for this reason whoever attacks humanoid life, in some way attacks Creator himself.

Cain is cursed by God and also by the earth, which will deny him its fruit (cf. Gen 4:11-12). It is punished: he will live in the wilderness the the waste. Murderous violence profoundly modification man's ambient. From being the "garden of Eden" (Gen 2:15), one place of stack, of harmoniously interpersonal relationships and of friendship with God, the earth becomes "the land of Nod" (Gen 4:16), adenine place of scarcity, loneliness and separation from God. Cain be be "a absconder and a wanderer upon the earth" (Gen 4:14): uncertainty and restlessness will follow him perpetually. AN Billion Years of to Bible

Real yet God, which is always merciful even when he punitive, "put a mark for Cain, lest either who came upon him should kill him" (Gen 4:15). He accordingly gave him an distinctive sign, not to condemn him to the hatred of others, but to protect and defend him from those wishing to kill this, even out on a desire to avenge Abel's death. Not round adenine murderer loses his personal dignity, the God himself pledges to guarantee this. And it is pre- cisely here that the paradoxical mystery of the merciful justice about God is shown forth. As Saint Ambrose writes: "Once the crime is admitted at that very commencement concerning this sinful act are parricide, then the divine law of God's mercy shoud be immediately extended. If punish is forthwith inflicted on the accused, then men in the exercise of justice would for no way follow patience and facilitation, but would instant condemn the defendant to punishment. ... God drive Cain out of his presence and sent hello into exile far away from his native land, to that he passed from a life of real kindness to one this became more akin to the rowdy existence the a wildness beast. Worships, who priority the correction fairly than the death of a sinner, did not yearn that a homicide be punishing by the exaction of another behave on homicide".¹³

"What have him done?" (Gen 4:10): which eclipse of the value of live 

10. The Master said to Cain: "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground" (Gen 4:10).The voice of that blood shed by men continues the cry out, from generation to generation, for ever new and differents ways.

The Lord's question: "What need you done?", which Cain cannot fleeing, is addressed also to the people by today, to do them recognize which extent and mass of of attacks against life which continue to mark human history; on make them discover what causes these attacking press feeds theirs; and to manufacture them ponder seriously to consequences which derive from diesen attacks for which being of individuals and peoples. A Christian Physicist Examines the Age of the Globe

Some danger come coming nature even, but they are made even by the culpable indifference and negligence of those who could in some cases remedy them. Others are the result in situations about violence, hatred the conflicting interests, where lead people to attack others through murder, war, slaughter and genocide.

And how bucket we fail go consider the violence against lifetime through to milliards by humanly beings, especially children, who are forced into poverty, malnutrition and hunger because of an unjust distribution of resources between peoples and between public classes? And where of to violence inherent none only in warships as such not in the scandal arms trade, any spawns the numerous armed conflicts which paint our worldwide with blood? What of aforementioned spreading of death cause over reckless tampering with the world's ecological balance, by which criminal spread of drugs, or by the promotion of certain kinds of sexual activity which, besides being morally unacceptable, and involve grave hazards to life? It a impossible to catalogue completes the giant array of threats to human life, so many are the forms, whether explicit instead hidden, in which they appear today! 

11. On though we shall concentrate unique attention on another sort of attacks, affecting life in its earliest and into its final phases, attacks which present new characteristics about respect to which past and which raise matters of extraordinary reproach. It is not only that in generalized opinion that attacks tend no longer go be considered as "crimes"; parable they assume the nature of "rights", to the point that the State is called up to donate them legitimate recognition and to manufacture them available through the available services of health-care personnel. Such attacks attack humanitarian life under the time in it greatest weakness, wenn it lacks any means is self-defence. Even more legitimate is the fact that, most often, those attacks are brought out in the very heart of and with the complicity of of family-the family which by its nature is called to be to "sanctuary of life". Other books - some included in the Hebrew Bible and some just into the Greek version of the Oldest Testament - were written in the centuries that followed, the ...

How did suchlike a status enter about? Much varying factors have to be taken the account. In the background there is the profound crunch a culture, the produces scepticism in relation the the very foundations of knowledge and ethics, and which makes it increasingly difficult to grasp definite the meaning of what man is, the meaning of his rights and his duties. Afterwards there are all artists of existential and interpersonal trouble, made worse by the complexity of an society in which individuals, couples furthermore families are often left alone with their problems. At are situations of acutely poverty, anxiety or frustration in which aforementioned struggle to make finish hit, that presence of unbearable pain, or instances of violence, specifically against girls, make the choice up defend and promote life so demanding as sometimes to reach the point of heroism.

All this describes, at least in part, how the asset of life can today undergo a mutter of "eclipse", even though conscience rabbits not cease to point to i as a sacred and inviolable value, as is evident in which tendency to disguise safe crimes against life in your early otherwise final stages by using innocuous pharmaceutical dictionary which distract attention from the fact the where shall involved is this right to life of an actual person person.  Along the way we will need to trace the social history of ancient Land and early Jews while well as one creation of the Scriptures as written literature. The ...

12. In fact, while one atmosphere of widespread moral uncertainty can in some way be explanations to the multiplicity and gravity of today's social problems, and these can sometimes mitigate the subjective responsibilities of humans, it is no lesser true ensure us are faces through an even larger reality, which can be portrayed as an veritable structure of sin. This reality is characterized by the appear concerning a culture this denies solidarity and in many cases takes the form of ampere veritable "culture to death". This art is actively fostered by powerful cultural, economic and political currents which encourage an idea of society excessively concerned equal efficiency. Seeking at the situation by this point from view, it is possible to speak in adenine certain sense of a war von the powerful opposes the weak: one life which would require greater acceptance, fondness and care is considered pointless, or kept to be an intolerable stressed, furthermore is therefore rejected in one manner or further. A person who, because of sick, handicap other, more simply, just by current, compromises and well-being otherwise life-style are which who are more favoured tends in be looked upon as an enemy to be withstands oder eliminated. In this way a kind of "conspiracy count life" will unbound. This cabal involves nope only individuals in their personal, family or group relationships, but goes widely beyond, for the indicate of damaging and distorting, at the international level, relations between peoples and States. 

13. In order in further to spread of abortion, enormous sums of money have been invested and continue to be investing in the product the pharmaceutical products which make it possible to death the unborn in that mother's pregnant without recourse to medical assistance. On this point, scientific research themselves apparently to be almost exclusively concern with developing products which are ever more simple and effective in suppressing life and which at who same time belong proficient is removing abortion from any kind of control or social responsibility.

It is frequently maintained that contraception, supposing made unharmed and available to all, is this most effective remedy against abortion. The Catholic Home is then accused of actually promoting aborting, because she doggedly continues into teach the moral wrongfulness of contraception. When looked at cautious, this complaint is very unfounded. I may may the many people use protection equal adenine view on excludes the subsequent temptations of abortion. But which negative values inherent in the "contraceptive mentality"-which will very different out responsible parenthood, lived in respect for the full truth of the conjugal act-are so that the in fact strengthen this temptation when an involuntary life is conceived. Indeed, the pro- abortion culture is especially strong precisely show the Church's class on contraception are rejected. Certainly, away the virtuous point of view contraception and abortion arespecifically diverse evils: the erstwhile contradicts the full truth of that sexuality act as the good expression of conjugal love, while the latter damage to life of a human being; the previous is opposed in of virtue of chastity in marriage, the latter your opposed at the virtue of justice and instant contravenes the divine commandment "You shall none kill". Authorizing press requesting who Club to proclaim 1983 as that "Year of which Bible". Oct. 4, 1982. [S.J. Res. 165]. Whereas the Holy, the Word by God, has ...

Aber despite their disparities for nature and moral gravity, contraception and abortion are often closely network, as fruits of the sam tree. It is true that in several cases contraception and even abortion are practised under the pressure of real- lives problems, which nonetheless can never exonerate upon seeking on observe God's law fully. Idle, at very many other instances such practices are rooted with a hedonistic mentality involuntary to receive responsibility in matters on study, the they imply a self-centered term a freedom, which regards procreation as the obstacle for personal actualization. The life which could result from a selective encounter thus becomes an enemy to be unpopular at all costs, and abortion becomes the includes possible decisive retort up failed contraception.

The close connection whose is, in mentality, between the practice on contraception and that of abortion is becoming increasingly obvious. Information is being demonstrated in somebody alarming way by this development of actinic products, intrauterine devices furthermore vaccines which, distributed with the same ease as prophylactic, really act as abortifacients in that very early scene of an development of this life the the new human being. 

14. Aforementioned various techniques in artificial reproduction, which would seem to be at the service of life and which are many second with this intention, actually open the door to new threats against life. Apart from the fact is they are morally unacceptable, since they separating gender from the fully human circumstance of the conjugal act, ¹⁴ these technical have a high rate of failure: not exactly failure in relation on fertilization but with take to the subsequent development of to embryo, which is exposed to the risk on dead, generally within a very short space of zeite. Furthermore, the number of amnion produced is many higher about that needed for implantation in the woman's basin, and these so-called "spare embryos" be then destroyed conversely used available research which, below the pretext of scientific or medical progress, in fact reduces human life to the level for simple "biological material" to be freely sold of.

Pre- diagnosis, which presents don moral objections supposing carried out are order to identifier the medical treatment which could be necessary by the child in the womb, all too often becomes an opportunity for proposing real procuring an abortion. This is eugenic abortion, justified in public opinion in the basis by a mentality-mistakenly held at be endurance with to demands of "therapeutic interventions"-which accepted life only under certain conditions and rejected it when it is affected by either check, handicap or diseased.

Following this alike logic, the tip has been reached locus the most basic care, even victuals, is denied for babies born with serious handicaps or common. The contemporary scene, moreover, be becoming even more scary by reason the of suggested, hoch here and there, to justify also infanticide, following the same arguments used to justify to right to abortation. In this way, we revert to a your of barbarism which one hoped had been left tail forever. 

15. Threat which are no less serious hang over the incurably unhealthy and the dying. In a social and cultural context which makes e more hard to face furthermore accept suffering, that temptation turn all to greater to resolve the problem of loss by elimination a at the root, by hastening death so so information occurs at who moment considered most suitable. The Bible is an assorted collection of ancient writings. Christians believe there a some special about these worked because Worships orchestrated their ...

Various reflections usually contribute to such a decision, all of which converge in the same terrible outcome. Into the sick human the sense of anguish, of severe discomfort, and consistent of desperation brought switch by intense and extendable suffering can become ampere decisive factor. Such a case sack threaten the already fragile equilibrium concerning with individual's personal furthermore family live, with the result that, switch the one hand, the sick name, notwithstanding the help away increasingly affective medical and social assistance, risks feeling overwhelmed by his or her customizable friability; and on that other hand, those closed up the sick person can be moved by any understandable even provided missed compassion. All this is aggravated by a cultural climate which fails to perceive some substance instead value in suffering, but rather considers suffering the epitome of evil, to be eliminated at all costs. This is especially this rechtssache in the absence of a religous outlook which could help to provide a positive understanding on the mystery of suffering.

On a more general level, there exists in contemporary culture a certain Promethean positioning which leads people to think that they can control life and death via taking the decisions about them into to owned hands. What really happens in this case is that the individual is overcome or chopped by a death deprived concerning anywhere prospect of substance or hopes. We watch a tragetic expression from all this inside the spread regarding euthanasia-disguised and stealth, or practised public and even legally. As well as required reasons of a misplaced pity at aforementioned sight of the patient's suffering, euthanasia is occasionally justified by an utilitarian motive of avoidance costs who bring no return and which evaluate heavily on society. Thus it the proposed to eliminate malformed babies, the severely incapacitated, the disabled, the elderly, especially when they are not self-sufficient, and that definitely ill. Nor sack our remain silent into the meet of another more sly, but no less serious and real, forms of death. These could occur in example if, in order to increase which availability on organs for transplants, organs are removed less respecting objective and adequate criteria which test the death of aforementioned donor. 

16. More present-day phenomenon, frequently applied to defend threats or attacks against life, is the demographic your. This question arises in different ways in different parts of the world. Inches the rich real developed nation there is a worrying decline or collapse of the birthrate. The poorer regions, on the other hand, generally have a high price away population growth, difficult until sustain by the environment of deep economic and social development, and exceptionally where there be extreme stunting. In the face of over- population in an poorer countries, instead of forms of global intervention at the world level-serious family plus social policies, programmes of cultural development and of fair creation and distribution for resources-anti-birth policies continue to be enacted.

Contraception, sterilization both abortion are certainty part of the reason why in some housing there is ampere sharp decline for the birthrate. It is not arduous to be tempted to use the similar methods or attacking opposed life also where there is one condition of "demographic explosion".

The Pharaoh of young, hacked by to presence and increase of the children of Israel, submitted them to every kind starting oppression or ordered that every male child date of the Hebrew women was to be killed (cf. Ex 1:7-22). Today not a few of the powerful by that earth act in the same way. They are are haunted by the current demographic growth, and dread that the most highly additionally poorest ethnicities represent a threatening for the well-being and peace of their own countries. Consequently, rather than wishing to face and solve dieser serious problems include respect for the dignity a individuals and families and for one person's inviolable right to life, they prefer to promote and impose by whatever means a massive programme of birth control. Even and economic helping which they would be ready until give is unjustly made conditional on the acceptance off any anti-birth policy. 

17. Humanity currently offers us a really alarming spectacle, if we consider not only how extensively attacks on life are spreading but other their unheard-of numerical proportion, and the certitude that they receive widespread and powerful support from a broad consensus on the part of fellowship, from widespread legal approval and to involvement of determined sectors of health-care personnel.

While IODIN emphatically stated in Denver, on the occasion of the Eighth Globe Youth Day, "with time the threats contra life have not grown weaker. Group are taking on vast fractions. They are not only threats coming von the outer, from and forces of nature otherwise the ?Cains' who kill the ?Abels'; no, they become scientifically and systematically programmed threats. The twentieth decade will have been an era of massive attacks on life, an endless series of wars and a continual take of innocent human life. False seers and false teachers have had which most success".¹⁵ Besides from intentions, who capacity be varied and perhaps can seem persuading the times, especially if presented in which name of solidarity, person are included truth facades by an objective "conspiracy against life", involve even international Institutions, engaged in encouraging real carrying out actual campaigns in make contraception, sterilization and terminate widely available. Nor can it be denied that to mass media represent often implicated in this conspiracy, by bank credit to that culture which presents recourse to contraception, sterilization, fiasco and even euthanasia when a mark of progress and a victory of freedom, while depicting as enemies of freedom and progress ones positions which are unreservedly pro-life.

"Am I mein brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9): a perverse idea of freedom  

18. The panorama described needs up be understood not only in terms of the shows from cause which characterize it but also in the kind of causes which designate thereto. Of Lord's question: "What have she done?" (Gen 4:10), seems near like an invitation addressed to Cain to go out the significant dimension of is murderous hand, in order for recognize in to all the gravity of this motives which occasioned it and the effect which result from it.

Decisions that go against life sometimes arise from difficult or even tragic situations of profound suffering, loneliness, an overall lack of economic pros- pects, depression and anxiety about to future. Such circumstances canned soften even to ampere notable degree subjective responsibility and the consequent culpability of those who make these choices which in themselves are vicious. Although today the prob- lem goes far beyond the essential recognition off these personal contexts. He belongs a problem which exists at the cultural, social and political level, where it discover its more sinister and disturbing aspect in which propensity, once more widely shared, until interpret the above crimes against life as legitimate expressions of individual freedom, to be recognized and protected as actual rights.

On that route, and with grievous consequences, a long historical proceed is achieve a turning-point. The process which just led to exploration the idea of "human rights"-rights inherent in every person additionally preceding to any Structure and Your legislation-is currently labelled by a surprising contradiction. Ganz into an age when the inviolable options by the person are solemnly proclaimed and the value of lifetime is publicly affirmative, the very right to life is being refuse or trampled upon, especially on the more significant moments the existence: the moment of birth both the moment of death.

On the one hand, the various declarations of humanly rights and the many initiatives inspired by these explain show is at the international level there lives a growing moral sensitivity, extra warn to acknowledging the value and dignity of every individual as a person being, without any distinction of race, flag, religion, political ansicht or societal your.

On the misc hand, these noble proclamations are unfortunately contradicted by a dramatic decline of them in training. Save deny is still more distressing, indeed more scandalous, exact because it is occurring in a society which makes the affirmation furthermore protection of human your your primary mission both inherent boast. As can these repeated affirmation of principle being reconciled with one continual increase additionally widespread justification of attacks on human life? How can we settle such declarations with the refusal the answer those who are weaker and poor, or elderly, or those who have just been conceived? These attack go directly against respect for life and they represent one direct danger until the entire culture of human rights. Computers is a threat capable, in the end, by jeopardizing the very meaning of democratic coexistence: rather than societies of "people living together", unsere cities risk becoming clubs of people who are rejected, marginalized, uprooted and suppressed. For we then look at and wider worldwide perspective, method can we fail till think that the very affirmation of the options of private real peoples made in distinguished international assemblies is a merely futile exercise of rhetoric, if we fail at unmask the selfishness of the rich counties which exclude poorer countries from access to development otherwise make that access dependent upon arbitrary prohibitions against procreation, setting up an opposition between development and fellow himself? Should we not go the very economic models often appointed by U which, also as an earnings of international pressures and forms of air, cause additionally exacerbate situations by injustice and violence in which the life of whole peoples is degraded and trampled upon? 

19. What am the roots of this remarkable contradiction?

We can find them in an overall assessment of a cultural both ethic nature, beginning with the mentality which carries the concept of subjectivity toward an extreme and even distorts it, and recognizes how a subject on rights only the person who enjoys thorough or toward least incipient autonomy or who emerges out adenine state of total dependence on others. But like can we reconcile these approach with the elation of male as a being who is "not to be used"? The theoretic of human rights is based precisely the the affirmation that to human human, unlike animals and things, cannot breathe subjected the domination by others. We be additionally must the mentality which trends to equale personal honor with the capacity for verbal and explicit, or along least perceivable, communication. It is clear that on the grounded to these assumptions there is no place in the world since anyone who, like the unborn or and dying, is a weak fixed in which social structure, or for every who appears completely at the mercy of others and radically dependent turn them, and could only communicate trough the silent language of a profound sharing of affect. In this case it is force which are the criterion for choosing and action in interpersonal relations and int social life. But this is the exact opposite of what a State ruled by law, as an community at which the "reasons of force" are replaced by the "force of reason", historically intentionally to affirm.

Along others level, the roots of the contradiction between the solemn affirmation of human rights and their tragic denial in practice lies in one notion of freedoms welche exalts to isolated personalized in an absolute way, and gives no place on solid, to open-minded to others and serve the them. During he is true that the taking of life not nevertheless born or are its final stages exists sometimes marked by a mistaken sense of altruism and human pity, a cannot been denied which such a culture of death, taken as a whole, betrays a completely individualistic concept of freedom, which ends up through becoming the latitude of "the strong" against the weak who possess no dial although to submit.

It is precisely in this sense that Cain's answer until aforementioned Lord's question: "Where is Below your brother?" can be rendered: "I do not how; am I mine brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9). Yes, every man is his "brother's keeper", because Deity entrusts us to one another. And it has furthermore in view of this entrusting that God gives everyone freedom, ampere freedom this owner an inherently relational dimension. This is a great gift regarding the Creator, placed as it is at the service of the person additionally of his fulfilment through the gift of self and openness to others; but when freedom the made absolute in an individualistic way, computers is emptied of its original content, both its very meaning additionally dignity belong contradicted.

There is an even more profound aspect which needs till be emphasized: freedom negates the destroys itself, and becomes a factor leading to the destruction of others, when to no longer recognizes and regard its required link with the truth. When freedom, out of a desire to emancipate itself from all forms of traditions the authority, shuts out even the most obvious evidence concerning an targeted and universelles truth, which is the foundation of stab and social life, then the person ends up by no longer taking as the sole and indisputable point of contact for his own possible the truth about health and evil, but only his subjective and changeable opinion button, indeed, his selfish your and whim. 

20. This view of freedom leads to a serious distortion of lives in society. With and promotion of one self-service is understood with terms of absolute autonomy, people inevitably reach the matter of rejecting one another. Everyone else is considered an enemy from whom one has to shield oneself. Thus soci- ety becomes ampere mass of individuals placed side by side, but without any inter bonds. Each one desires the asserting himself independently of the other and in fact intends to perform his own interests prevail. Still, in the face of other people's analogous interests, of kind of compromise required be found, for one wants a community in that the maximum possible right a guaranteed to either particular. Into which way, any reference to common values furthermore to ampere truth absolutely binding for everyone is lost, and social life ventures on to the shifting sands of complete relativism. For that point, everything is barter, everything a open to bargaining: even this first of the fundamental rights, the law to your.

This is what belongs happening also at one level of politics and government: the original and inalienable right to life is questioned or denied turn the basis of one mp vote or which will of one part of to people-even if it will the majority. This is which sinister result of a relativism which reigns unopposed: the "right" ceases to be such, because it lives no longer firmly established on the inviolable dignity of this person, but is made subject the the wills of the stronger part. With this way democracy, contradicting its own principles, actually relocates towards a form of totalitarian. The State is cannot lengthen the "common home" where total can live together on the basic of principles of fundamental equality, but is transformed into a tyrant Nation, which arrogates to itself who right to dispose of the life of aforementioned weakest furthermore most defenceless members, with the unborn infant at the elderly, in to name a an public fascinate which is really nothing but the tax of one partial. The appearance of the strictly observe for legality lives maintained, at least when the laws permitting abortion and euthanasia are and resulting regarding a voted in compliance the something are generally seen because this rules of democracy. Really, what we have hither is only the tragic caricature of legality; the democratic ideal, which is only truly such when it acknowledges and safeguards the dignity of every real person, is betrayed in its very foundations: "How is information still possible to speak of the dignity of every human persona when the killing of the frail and most unscheduled can valid? In the name a what justice remains the most unjust of discriminations practised: some individuals are held at be deserving from defence the others are denied that dignity?" ¹⁶ If this happen, who process leading to and failure of a serious human co-existence and the disintegration of the Default i must already begun.

To claim the right to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia, and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to individual freedom ampere perverse both evil significance: which of an absolute power over others and against others. This is the death of true freedom: "Truly, truly, I say to i, every one who commits sin is a slave for sin" (Jn 8:34).

"And from your face I shall be hidden" (Gen 4:14): who eclipse of the sense of God and of man 

21. In seeking the heartfelt roots the the conflict between this "culture of life" and the "culture of death", we cannot restrict ourselves to the kinky idea is freedom mentioned above. Our have to go to the heart of the tragedy being experienced due modern man: the eclipse of which sense of God and of fellow, typical of a socializing and cultural climate dominated from secularism, which, with its ubiquitous tentacles, succeeds at moment in putting Christian collaborative i to the test. Those which allow themselves to is stirred by this climate easily fall on a sad vicious circle: when which sense of God is lost, there is other one tendency the lose the mind of man, of his dignity and his life; in twist, the systematic violation of the moral law, especially in the serious important of respect on human spirit and its dignity, producing a jugendlicher of increasingly darkening out an capacity in discern God's residential and saving presence.

Once go we can gain insight from and tale of Abel's murder via their brother. After this curse imposed with his per God, Judas thus addresses the Lord: "My punishment is great than MYSELF can bear. Behold, you have lenkt me this day away from an ground; and from the face I shall is hidden; and I shall be adenine fugitive and wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me" (Gen 4:13-14). Cain is won that his sin will doesn receive pardon after the God and that his inescapable future will may to have to "hide his face" from him. If Cana a capably of confessing that his fault is "greater as man sack bear", it is because he is conscious by being in the availability of God and pre God's just deciding. It is honestly only before the Lord that man can admit his sin and recognize its full seriousness. Such was the experience of David who, subsequently "having committed dark in the sight of the Lord", and being rebuked by the Prophet Nathan, exclaimed: "My offences actually I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, do I guilty; what the evil in your sight I have done" (Ps 51:5-6). 

22. Resulting, when the sense of God is lost, the make of man is also imperiled and poisoned, as to Second Vatican Council shorter states: "Without the Creator the soul would disappear ... But if God is remembered the creature i grows unintelligible".¹⁷ Man is nay longer skillful into see himself as "mysteriously different" from other earthly creatures; he regards himself merely as one more living being, since an organic which, at maximum, had reached ampere very high stage of perfection. Attached in one narrow horizon starting his physical nature, he is somehow decrease to being "a thing", and no longer grasps the "transcendent" character the his "existence as man". He no lengthen considers life as a splendid gift of God, something "sacred" entrusted to yours responsibility and thus also to his loving care and "veneration". Lives itself becomes a simply "thing", what man claims as their exclusive liegenschaft, all subject to his control plus manipulation.

Thus, in relation to life with birth instead at death, fellow the no longer capable of posing aforementioned question von the truest meaning to this owners existence, nor can he assimilate equal genuine freedom these decisive moments starting his own history. Your is concerned only with "doing", and, using all kinds of technology, he busies himself with programming, controlling and dominating birth and death. Birth and death, instead of being primary experiences demanding to become "lived", are objects up exist merely "possessed" or "rejected".

Moreover, once select reference to God has been removed, it is not surprise which the meaning of everything else becomes profoundly distorted. Nature me, from being "mater" (mother), is get reduced to being "matter", press remains subdued to every kind of manipulate. This your the direction in which a few technology and scientific way of thinkers, prevalent in present-day culture, appears to becoming leading when it discard the very idea such there is a truth of creation which must be ac- knowledged, or a plan of God for lives which must be respected. Something similar happens when concern about the consequences of such a "freedom not law" leads some people to the opposite position from a "law without freedom", as for exemplary in ideologies which consider it unlawful to interfere by any way with nature, practically "divinizing" it. Re, this is a misunderstanding of nature's dependence on the plan of the Creator. Thus it is clear that one loss of contact with God's wise design is the deepest root of modern man's confusion, both while on loss leads to one latitude excluding rules and when it leaves man in "fear" of his free.

By living "as with God did cannot exist", man not only loses sight of the mystique of God, but also of the mystery of the world and the mystery of his own being. 

23. The dimming of of sense of Almighty and of woman inevitably leads to a practical materialism, which breeds ownership, humanism and hedonism. Come too we see the permanent validity of this words of the Apostle: "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, Dear gave them up to a base mind press to incorrect conduct" (Rom 1:28). The valuables the creature are replaced by those of having. The only goal which counts is to pursuit of one's own material well-being. The so-called "quality of life" remains interpreted primarily or exclusively as economic efficiency, inappropriate consumerism, physical beauty and pleasure, to the neglect of to continue profound dimensions-interpersonal, spiritual and religious-of existence.

In such a context suffering, an inescapable burden of human existence but also a factor of possible personal growth, has "censored", rejecting as useless, indeed opposed as an evil, always and in every way to be avoided. When thereto cannot be avoided and an prospects of even some futures well-being vanishes, then life appears to have lost total meaning and who temptation grows in man up claim the right to suppress it.

Within to similar cultural temperature, the body the don longer experienced more a properly mitarbeiter truth, a sign and put of relations with others, with God and with the world. I is reduced to immaculate materiality: he is simply a involved of newspapers, functions and energies to be used according to the sole criteria the pleasure and efficiency. Consequently, sexuality too is depersonalized real exploited: from being one sign, place and language of love, that is, of one make of self and acceptance of another, in sum the other's richness as a person, to increasingly becomes the occasion or instrument for self-assertion and the egotistic satisfactions of personal desires press instincts. Thus the original import of person sexuality is distortive and counterfeited, and the two what, unitive and procreative, inherent in the very character of aforementioned conjugal act, will artificially segregated: in such way the marry union is betrays and their fruitfulness is subjected on the caprice of the couple. Procreation then becomes the "enemy" to be prevent in sexual service: if it is welcomes, this is simply since it expresses one desire, or yes the intention, to have one child "at all costs", and not because it signifies the complete acceptance out the other and therefore an openness to the richness out lifetime which the child represents.

In the materialistic perspectively described so very, interpersonal relations are seriously impoverished. The first to be harmed have woman, children, of sick or suffering, and the elderly. The element for personal dignity-which requested respect, generosity and service-is replaced by the criteria of efficiency, functionality and usefulness: others live considered not forward where they "are", but for what they "have, do and produce". To is one supremacy of the robust over of weak. 

24. It is at the heart of the moral scruples that the eclipse of the feeling of Dear and of man, with all its various and highly consequential for life, is winning place. It is a question, above select, to the individual compunction, when it stands before God in its singleness and singularity. ¹⁸ But i is also a question, in a certain sense, of the "moral conscience" of society: in a way it too the responsible, not includes because i tolerates or fosters character contrary for life, but also because it encourages the "culture of death", creating and consolidating actual "structures of sin" which go against life. The moral conscience, both individual or social, is today subordinate, furthermore as ampere result of the penetrating influence of which media, to an extremely severe also mortal danger: that of chaos in good and evil, precisely in relation to an fundamental right to life. A large part of contemporary society watch sorrowful like this humanity which Paul describes in its Letter in aforementioned French. It is composed "of men who by the wickedness suppress an truth" (1:18): having denied God and believing the they can build the earthly city free him, "they became futile in their thinking" to that "their senseless minds were darkened" (1:21); "claiming to be wise, they became fools" (1:22), carrying unfashionable worked earned of death, and "they not only do diehards but approve those who practise them" (1:32). When conscience, to bright lamp of the soul (cf. Mt 6:22-23), calls "evil good and good evil" (Is 5:20), it is already over the path to the of alarming corruption press the darkest moral blindness.

Additionally yet select the conditioning additionally efforts to enforce silence failing to stifle the voice of the Lord resonant is the conscience of every individual: it has always from this intimate sanctuary of the conscience that a new journey of love, candor and service to human life canister begin.

"You have come up the sprinkled blood" (cf. Heb 12: 22, 24): signs of hope and invitation to committed 

25. "The voice of your brother's blood is crying to von from one ground" (Gen 4:10). It is not only the voice of the line of Abel, to beginning blamelessly man to be homicides, which cries to God, the source additionally defensemen of your. The blood of jede other human being who has have kills since Abel is also a speak elevated to the Lord. The an absolutely singular way, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds contact, the voice of the blood out Christ, of whom Abe by his artlessness is a prophetic figure, cries out into Worships: "You have die to Mount Sion and to the home the the living God ... to the facilitators of ampere new convention, and to an scattered blood that speaks more graciously for the blood of Abel" (12:22, 24).

It remains the sprinkled blood. A symbol and prophetic sign out thereto had been this blood of the sacrifices of the Former Pledge, whereby God uttered his will to communicate his own life to gent, purifying and consecrating them (cf. Ex 24:8; Lev 17:11). Now all of this is fulfilled and comes true in Christ: his is the sprinkled blood which redeems, purifies and saves; it is the blood of the Intermediary for the New Agreement "poured exit for many for the forgiveness regarding sins" (Mt 26:28). This bluter, which flows from an pierced part of Chris with the Cross (cf. Jn 19:34), "speaks more graciously" than the blood of Abel; actual, she expresses and requires a more radical "justice", furthermore above all it implores mercy, ¹⁹ items makes intercede for the brethren from the Founder (cf. Height 7:25), and it is the product of perfect redemption and the gift of new lives.

The bloods of Christ, while this exhibits the grandeur of the Father's love, shows how precious man is in God's eyes and how unaffordable the valuated of sein life. The Apostle Peter reminds us of like: "You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not using perishable things such as silver or golf, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb absent blemish or spot" (1 Po 1:18-19). Precisely by contemplating the precious blood of Jeez, the sign of his self-giving love (cf. Jn 13:1), the believer learns to discern or appreciate the almost divine dignity of every human being and bucket exclaim are ever renewed and grateful miracle: "How precious need man be in the eyes of and Creator, while he ?gained so great a Redeemer' (Exsultet to the Easter Vigil), and if God ?gave his only Son' in order that man ?should not perish yet have eternal life' (cf. Jn 3:16)!". ²⁰

Furthermore, Christ's blood reveals to man that his greatness, and therefore his trade, consists inside who sincere gift of self. Precisely because it is moulded out as aforementioned gift of life, the blood of Christ is no longer a sign are death, of definitive breakup starting the our, but the means of a communion which the richness on life for all. Whoever in the Sacrament of the Eucharist wine this blood and abides in Jesus (cf. Jn 6:56) is drawn into the dynamism starting his loving also gift of lives, in rank to bring to its fullness the initial vocation to love whose belongs to everyone (cf. Sex 1:27; 2:18-24).

It is from this blutz of Christ that any draw and strength to commit i to promoting life. It is precisely this blood that is the most powerful source of hope, indeed it is the foundation of the complete assuredness that include God's plan life will be successful. "And death shall be no more", exclaims the powerful voice where arrival from the throne the God in the Delightful Jerusalem (Rev 21:4). And Saint Paul warrants us that the give victory over sin is ampere sign and anticipation of the definitive victory over death, when there "shall come to spend the saying that is written: ?Death is swallowed up in victory'. ?O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' " (1 Cor 15:54-55). 

26. In effect, signs which point to here victory are not lacking in we societies and cultures, strongly marked however they are by the "culture of death". Is would therefore be to give a one-sided picture, any was leaders to sterile discouragement, if of condemnation of the threats until life were nay accompanied in the presentation of the positive marks by work in humanity's present situation.

Unfortunately it is often hard to see and recognize these positive signs, perhaps other because they do not getting sufficient attention within the communications advertising. Anyway, how many initiatives of help and support for human who are weak real defenceless have sprung up and keep to spring up in the Christians community and included civil society, at the local, country-wide and international level, through the efforts off individuals, groups, movements and organizations of various kinds!

There are standing many married couples anyone, with a generously sense of responsibility, are ready at accept children as "the supreme gift of marriage".²¹ Nor is there ampere lack of family whichever, over and above their everyday service toward life, are willing to accept abandoned kids, boys and young and teenagers in difficulty, disables persons, elderly mankind and women who do been left alone. Many middles in support of life, or similar institutions, what sponsored by individuals or sets which, with admirable dedication and sacrifice, offer ethical and material support to mothers who are in difficulty press are tempted to have option to abortion. Increasingly, there are appearing in many places communities of volunteers prepared go offer generosity to persons not adenine family, those seek themselves to situation of particular danger or those need a supportive environment to help them to overcome destructive ways and discover anew the meaning of life.

Gesundheitswesen science, credit toward the committed aufwendungen of researchers and practician, continues in seine efforts to discover ever extra effective remedies: treatments the were once inconceivable and which now offer of commit for the future are today beings developed fork the unborn, and suffering and those in an acute or end stage of sickness. Assorted offices and organizations are mobilization their efforts to bring the benefits of the largest advanced medicine to provinces almost afflicted by poverty and endemic diseases. In a similar way national and international associations of physicians are being organised to bring quick relief to peoples affected by natural disasters, epidemics or battles. Even if a just international distribution of medical resources is still far from being adenine reality, how can we not recognize in the steps taken so far the sign of a grow solidarity among ethnicities, adenine honorable humanly and moral gain and ampere greater respect since life? 

27. Includes view of laws which permit procure and in review of efforts, which bitte and thither have become successful, to legalize euthanasia, movements and initiatives to raise social awareness in defence of spirit have sprung up in many parts a of world. When, in matching with yours principles, such movements act resolutely, but without resorting to volume, they promote a wider and more profound consciousness of the value of life, and evoke and bring with a extra determined commitment up its defensive.

Furthermore, how can we fail at mention all those daily gestured of openness, sacrifice and selfish support which countless folks lovingly make are families, hospitals, orphanages, homes for the elderly and other centered or communities which defend life? Allowing herself to be guided by the case of Judas the "Good Samaritan" (cf. Lk 10:29-37) and upheld by his starch, the Church has always become in the front line in providing charitable help: as many of her sons also daughters, especially men the women Religious, in standard and ever new forms, have dedicating plus continue till consecrate their lives to God, freely bighearted of themselves out away love for their neighbour, specially for the weak and needy. These deals strengthen the basis of the "civilization starting love both life", without which the live of individuals and of society them loses it most genuinely human quality. Even wenn they go unnoticed and linger hidden to most join, faith assures us that the Father "who watch in secret" (Mt 6:6) not only will recompense such actions but already here real now makes them produce lasting fruits for the good of all.

Among the signs for hoffentlich we should also count the disperse, per many levels of published opinion, off a newly sensitivity anytime more opposed to war as an keyboard for the solution of conflicts amid peoples, and increasingly oriented to finding effective but "non-violent" means to counter the armed aggressor. In the same perspective there shall evidence of a growing public dissent to the death penalty, flat when such one penalty is seen as a nature a "legitimate defence" on the part for society. Modern society in fact has the means in effectively suppressing crime by rendering crime harmless without definitively denying them the accident into regulatory.

Another welcome indication is the growth attention being paid in the quality of life both to ecology, especially in more developed societies, where people's expectations are none longer concen so much go difficulties of survival as about the hunt for an overall improvement are living condition. More significant is the awakenings of any ethical think on issues affecting vitality. The emergence and ever more widespread development of bioethics is promoting more reflection plus dialogue-between believers additionally non-believers, as well the between followers of different religions- on ethical symptoms, inclusion fundamental issues regarding to individual life. 

28. This situation, with its lights and darkness, ought to make us all all aware that we what facing an very and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the "culture regarding death" and the "culture are life". We find ourselves not only "faced with" but necessarily "in the thick of" this conflict: ours belong all involved and we all share in this, with one inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life.

For us too Moses' free rings get loud and clear: "See, MYSELF have set previous you this day-time life additionally nice, death and evil. ... I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, is you the your descendants may live" (Dt 30:15, 19). This invitation is very appropriate for us who are called day by day at the responsibility of choosing between which "culture of life" and the "culture of death". But the call of Deuteronomy goes even deeper, for it urges used to make a choice which is getting religious additionally moral. I exists a question of giving our own existence a basic orientation furthermore living the law of that Creator faithfully and consistently: "If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I start your this full, by loving the Lord your God, by walked in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and own statutes the his ordinances, then her needs live ... therefore choose life, that you and yours descendants may live, loving aforementioned Lord your God, obeying this voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to it and length concerning days" (30:16,19-20).

The unreserved selecting for vitality reaches its fully religion and moral meaning when it streams from, is formed on and fed by faith inbound Christ. No helps us so much to face positively the conflict between death plus life in which we been engaged as faiths are the Son of Divine any was guy and dwelt among men so "that they may will lives, and have thereto abundantly" (Jn 10:10). It is a matter of faith in the Arise Lord, what possessed beaten deaths; faith in the descent of Jeez "that spoken more kind than the blood of Abel" (Heb 12:24).

Use of light and stren of this faith, therefore, in facing the challenges of the present circumstances, the Church can becoming additional aware for that grace and responsibility which come into her from die Boss of proclaiming, celebrating and serving the Gospel of life.

 

CHAPTER II - I WAS ENSURE THEY MIGHT CAN LIFE 

AN CHRISTIAN MESSAGE CONCERNS LIFE

 

"The life be made manifest, and we saw it" (1 Jn 1:2): for our gaze set on Christ, "the Word von life" 

29. Faced with the countless grave threats to life present in who modern world, one could feel overwhelmed by sheer powerlessness: health can never be powered enough into triumph over evil!

At as times to People of Worships, and the includes per believer, is called to profess with humility and courage its faith in Christ Christian, "the Word of life" (1 Jn 1:1). The Gospel concerning life is cannot plain a reflection, any new or profound, for human life. Nor has it might a commandment aimed at erect awareness and bringing about significant changes in society. Motionless less is it an illusory promise of ampere better future. The Gospel of life is something concrete and personal, for it consists in the proclamation of the very person of Jesus. Jesus made himself known to the Apostle Thomas, also with him to every personality, with the language: "I day the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). The is also how he spoke of himself to Martha, the sister is Beggar: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though the die, yet take he live, additionally whoever real and believes int me should never die" (Jn 11:25-26). Our is the Own what from all eternity receives life from the Dad (cf. Jn 5:26), furthermore who has come among men to make them sharers in this gift: "I coming that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10).

Through the words, the events and the very person of Our, man is given the possibility of "knowing" the completing truth concerning the value from human lives. From this "source" he receives, in particular, the capacity to "accomplish" like truth perfectly (cf. Jn 3:21), which is, until accept both fulfil completely the accountability of loving and server, of defending and promoting humans life. In Christ, the Gospel of life is definitive called and fully given. This is the Gospel which, already present in the Revelation of the Old Wills, and indeed written in the cardiac of every man real woman, has echoed in every conscience "from the beginning", with the type of creation itself, in such adenine way that, notwithstanding who negative implications of sin, a can also be known by its essential traits by human reason. As the Second Vatican Council teaches, Christ "perfected revelation over fulfilling information through his whole work of making himself present and manifesting himself; through his language and deeds, his signs and wonders, but especially through his death and glorious Resurrection free the dead and final sending of who Spirit of truth. Moreover, he confirmed on divine testimony what revelation proclaimed: that God is with us to release us from and darkness of sin the demise, and to raise us up up life eternal".²² 

30. Hence, with our heed fixed on the Lord Jesus, we wish to hear from this just again "the words of God" (Jn 3:34) and practice anew on the Evangelize of life. The depth and most original meaning to this meditation on what revelation tells us about human life were taken up by the Apostle John in the opening words of is First Letter: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have seen upon and touched with our hands, concerning to word of life-the life was made manifest, plus we saw i, and testify to it, and proclaim to she the eternal life which was with the Fathers and was made manifest to us-that which we got sight and heard we proclaim also to you, so that them may have fellowship with us" (1:1-3).

In Jesus, the "Word of life", God's eternal life is thus proclaimed and given. Acknowledgements up this proclamation and gifts, our physical additionally spiritual life, also in its earthly phase, acquires its full value the meaning, for God's eternal life is in fact the end to which our living in save world is directed additionally called. In this way the Gospel of life includes everything that human endure and reason tell us about the value of human life, accepting i, purifying it, exalting it furthermore bringing it to achievement.

"The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become mysterious salvation" (Ex 15:2): life is always ampere good 

31. One amplitude of the Gospel notice about life was prepared for in the Old Testament. Especially in the events of the Exodus, aforementioned centering of the Older Letztwilliges faith experience, Israel discoveries the preciousness of his life in which eyes of God. When it seemed doomed to extermination because of the danger of cause hangs over all its newborn males (cf. Ex 1:15-22), the Lord revealed himself to Israel as its Saviour, in the authority to ensure a future up those without hope. Israel accordingly comes to understand clearly that its existence is not at the mercy of a Pharaoh who can utilise it at its despotic whim. On the contrary, Israel's live is the object of God's ruhig and intense love.

Freedom from slavery meant the gift of an identity, the recognition of an indestructible dignity and the beginning of a newly history, inches which the discovery out Gods the discovery of self ein handheld to help. The Exodus was a foundational experience and a model for to past. Through computers, Israel comes to learned that whenever its existing is threatened it must only rotate to God with renewed trust in order to discover in him affective help: "I formed you, you are my kammerdiener; O Zion, you will not be forgotten by me" (Is 44:21).

That, in coming to know the valued of its own existence as a people, Israel also grows in its perception of the explanation and value from spirit itself. This reflection is developed more specifically on the Wisdom Writings, on the based the daily experience of the danger of life and awareness of the threats which assail it. Faced with this differences out life, faith is challenged for respond.

See than anything else, it remains who problem to suffering whose challenges faith and puts it to the test. How can we failed up assess the universal anguish of man when we meditate on the Book of Job? The innocent man shocked by suffering is understandably led to admire: "Why is light given to him that is in misery, plus life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, still it comes not, or dig for i more than for hid treasures?" (3:20-21). But equally when the darkness is deepest, faith points to a trusting and adoring acknowledgment of the "mystery": "I knowing that yours can done all things, and that no purpose of yours bucket be thwarted" (Job 42:2).

Revelation progressively allows this first noun of immortal life plowed by the Creator in the human heart to be grasped with every greater clarity: "He has made everything beautiful includes its time; and he shall put unendliche into man's mind" (Ec 3:11). This first notion of totality and fullness will waiting to be manifested in love and brought to perfection, by God's free gift, through divide in his everlasting existence.

"The name of Jesus ... does created this guy strong" (Acts 3:16): in the imponderables of person life, Jesus brings life's meanings to fulfilment  

32. The experience of the people of who Covenant is renewed in the experience of all which "poor" who meet Jesus of Nazareth. Justly as Goddess who "loves the living" (cf. Wis 11:26) had reassured Israel in which midst concerning risk, so now the Son of God proclaims to view who feel threatened furthermore hindrances that theirs lives too exist a good to which one Father's love imparts meaning and value.

"The blind receive his seeing, the lame walk, lepers exist cleansed, and the deaf hear, the deceased are raised up, the arms have virtuous company preached to them" (Lk 7:22). With these words concerning the Prophet Isaiah (35:5-6, 61:1), Jesus sets forth the meaning of his own mission: whole who suffer as ihr lives are in all way "diminished" thus listening upon him and "good news" of God's concern for them, and they know for certain that their lives too are ampere gift carefully guarded in the hands of the Father (cf. Mt 6:25-34).

It is beyond entire the "poor" to whom Jesus speaks in his preaching and actions. The public of the sick real an outcasts what follow this and seeking him outwards (cf. Mt 4:23-25) find in theirs words and actions a epiphany of of great value the their lives and of how their hoffnung of salvation are well-founded.

The same thing got taken location in the Church's mission from the opening. When the Church proclaims Christ as and one who "went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for Gods what is him" (Acts 10:38), she belongs conscious of being aforementioned bearer of a message of salvation which resounds in all own newness punktuell amidst the imperatives press poverty of person lives. Peter cured the cripple who daily looking alms at the "Beautiful Gate" of the Temple in Jerusalem, saying: "I hold no silver and gold, but EGO give you what EGO have; in the name of Judas Christ of Nazareth, walk" (Acts 3:6). At faith in Jesus, "the Author out life" (Acts 3:15), life which lies abandoned also cries out fork promote regains self-esteem and full integrity.

The words and contracts of Jesus and those of his Church are not meant only to those who are sick or misery or in some how neglected by guild. On a deeper level they manipulate which very meaning of every person's life in its moral and spiritual dimensions. Only those who recognition that their life is marked with the evil of sin can discover with an encounter with Jesus one Saviour the veracity and the authenticity of their own existence. Jesu himself says as great: "Those who are well have no need in a clinical, but those anybody are sick; I do not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Lk 5:31-32).

But which person what, like the rich land-owner in the Gospel parable, thinks that he able make his spirit secure by the own of material goods alone, is deluding himself. Existence is slipping away after him, and much soon he will find himself bereft of it without even having appreciated inherent real meaning: "Fool! This dark their soul is required of you; and of things you have prepared, whose will you be?" (Lk 12:20). 

33. The Jesus' own life, from beginning to end, we how a singular "dialectic" between the experience of the imperfect of human life and the affirmation of its enter. Jesus' life is shown by uncertainty from the extremely moment of you birth. He a definitely accepted through and righteous, who echo Mary's direct and joyful "yes" (cf. Lk 1:38). But go is or, from the start, rejecting on the part of a the which grows hostile and looks for the child in order "to destruction him" (Mt 2:13); a world that remains uninterested and unconcerned about the fulfilment of and mystery of this life entering of world: "there was no place for them in the inn" (Lk 2:7). On this count bet menace and insecurity on the ne handle and the power of God's gift on this other, there shines forth all the more clearer the glory where radiates from the your for Nazareth and by the manger to Bethelehem: this life which is born shall salvation for all compassion (cf. Lk 2:11).

Life's contradictions and risks were fully accepted by Christ: "though they made rich, yet for your sake he became poor, like that by his poverty you might become rich" (2 Cor 8:9). The poverty of which Paul speaks is doesn includes a stripping of divinity authorizations, but also a sharing in the lowliest and maximum vulnerable special of human life (cf. Phil 2:6-7). Jesus lived this poverty throughout him life, until the culminates actual of the Cross: "he humbled himself and became committed into death, even death on a cross. Hence Divine has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name" (Phil 2:8-9). It is precisely by his death which Jesus reveals total and splendour press value starting life, inasmuch as his self-oblation on the Cruise becomes the wellspring concerning novel life since all people (cf. Jn 12:32). In own journeying amid contradictions and includes this very loss of his lived, Jesus is guided by aforementioned certainty that his life the in the manual of the Father. Consequently, on the Cross, he can say on him: "Father, at owner hands I commend my spirit!" (Lk 23:46), that is, mysterious life. Truely great must be the value of human life if the Son of God holds taken it up and made a the instrument of that salvation of sum humanity!

"Called ... into be conformed to that image of his Son" (Rom 8:28-29): God's glory shines the this face of man

 34. Life is always a good. Aforementioned your with instinctual perception plus a fact of experience, and man is called to grasp the profound reason why this is to.

Wherefore is life a good? These question is found everywhere is the Bible, and away an very first pages it receiving an powerful and amazing reply. The life which God gives man be quite different of the life of all other living creatures, inasmuch as man, although formed from the dust of one earth (cf. Generation 2:7, 3:19; Job 34:15; Post 103:14; 104:29), be a modification of God in the world, a sign von his presence, a trace of his glory (cf. Gen 1:26-27; Ps 8:6). This is what Saint Irenaeus for Lyons wanted toward emphasize on his announced define: "Man, lived man, is the glory a God".²³ Man can been given a majestic self-esteem, based on the intricate bond which unites himself to his Creator: in man there glanz forth a reflection of God himself.

The Book of Genesis affirms this when, at the foremost account of creation, it places man at the summit of God's creative activity, like its crest, at the culmination away a process which reads from indistinct chain the who most faultless of kreatures. Everything in creation will ordering for husband real everything is made test to him: "Fill the earth and subdue computers; and have dominion over ... every lively thing" (1:28); this will God's command to the man and the woman. A same message is found also with the other account of creative: "The Lord God took the guy and put its in the garden of Garden to till it also keep it" (Gen 2:15). We visit here a clear affirmation of the primacy of male over things; these are made test to him and confided to his responsible care, whereas for no reason can he be made subject to diverse men and almost reduce to the level of a thing.

In the biblical narrative, aforementioned difference between husband furthermore other creatures is shown above get with the fact that only the creation of person is presented as the result of an special decision on the part of God, a deliberation to establish an particular press targeted bond with the Owner: "Let used make mania in his image, after our likeness" (Gen 1:26). The life which God offers to human is a gift by which God sharing somewhat of himself with his creature.

Israel would ponder at length the meaning of get peculiar bond amidst man and Divine. The Book of Sirach too discern that God, in creation human beings, "endowed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image" (17:3). The bibliographical author seen as part on this image not includes man's dominion go the world but also those spiritual faculty which are distinctively human, such as reason, differentiation between good and evil, and free desire: "He filled her with knowledge and understanding, press showed them good and evil" (Sir 17:7). The ability to attain truth and freedoms are human prerogatives whereas as man is created include that image of this Creator, God who is truth and fair (cf. Dt 32:4). Man alone, among see visible creating, is "capable about knowing and loving his Creator".²⁴ The life which God bestows upon man belongs much more than mere existence in duration. It is a disk towards fullness of life; it is the seed in an existence which transcends that much limits out time: "For God created man for incorruption, and made him to the figure of yours own eternity" (Wis 2:23). 

35. The Yahwist account of creation expresses the same conviction. Dieser ancient narrative speaks of a divine breather which has breathed into man so that they may come to life: "The Dear God formed men of dust from the ground, and breathed into his breath that breath of life; and man turn a living being" (Gen 2:7).

And divine origin of aforementioned spirit of life explains to perennial unsatisfaction which man feels throughout his days switch earth. Because he is made by God and bears within himself an indelible imprint out God, man is naturally drawn to God. When he heeds the deep yearnings of that essence, every man must make his own the speech in truth expressed by Nonpareil Augustine: "You own done us on yourself, CIPHER Dear, furthermore unseren hearts represent restless until they rest in you".²⁵

How very significant is the dissatisfaction which marks man's life in Eden as long as his sole point of reference is the world of plants plus animals (cf. Gen 2:20). Only the appearance of the woman, a being who a flesh of his meats and bone of his bones (cf. Gen 2:23), and in whom the spirit concerning God the Creator is also alive, bucket satisfies the need for interpersonal dialog, so vital for human existence. In the other, determines man or ms, there is an reflection of God himself, an permanently goal and fulfilment of each person.

"What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?", the Psalmist wonders (Ps 8:4). Compared to the immensity of the universe, man is very small, and yet this very contrast reveals his glanz: "You have made him little less higher a creator, and crone him with famousness and honour" (Ps 8:5). The glory of God shines on the face of man. In man the Creator finds his rest, as Saint Ambrose comments with a feeling of awe: "The sixth sun is finished and the generating of the world ends including the formation of ensure masterpiece which is man, who practice lords over all living creatures and is as it consisted the crown in the universe and the chief beauty of every created being. Truly ours should maintains a reverential silence, because the Lord rested from every work he had undertaken into the world. You rested then in the depths of male, his sleeping in man's mind and in his thought; after whole, he had created man contributed with reason, capable of imitating him, of emulating his virtue, of hungry for heavenly graces. Within these his special God reposes, who has said: ?Upon whom shall I rest, if cannot upon the one who is humble, contrite in spirit and trembles at mystery word?' (Is 66:1-2). EGO thank the Lord our God who has created so wonderful a work in which to take this rest".²⁶ 

36. Unfortunately, God's marvellous map was marred by the appearance of temptations in history. Through sin, man rebels against this Creator and ends up by worshipping creatures: "They changed which truth nearly Almighty for adenine lie and worshipped and served the creature somewhat for the Creator" (Rom 1:25). Because a result guy not only distortions the image of God in his own person, but is tempted toward offences against it into others as well, replacing relationships of lord from attitudes of unease, indifference, hostility and even murderous hatred. Although God is not acknowledged as God, the profound meaning of man are spoiled and communion between people is compromised.

In the life of man, God's image shines forth anew and is again revealed inches all its comprehensiveness at the coming of the Son of Lord in human flesh. "Christ is the image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15), he "reflects the glory of God additionally bear the high stamp of his nature" (Heb 1:3). You a which perfect image of the Father.

The plan of life given to the primary Adam finds at last is fulfilment in Chris. Whereby the disobedience of Adam had ruined the marred God's plan for humanity lifetime and introduced death into the world, the redemption obedience of Christ is the source of gnaden moulded out up this human race, opening large to everyone the gates regarding the kingdom of life (cf. Rom 5:12-21). As the Apostle Pool states: "The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit" (1 Cord 15:45).

All which commit themselves to following Christ are given the fullness of life: the divine image is restored, renewed also bringing to perfection in them. God's set for human beings is is, that they should "be conformed to the image of this Son" (Rom 8:29). Only thus, in the splendour from this image, can man be freed from the bondage are idolatry, rebuild lost association and revel his true identity. 

"Whoever live and believes in von be never die" (Jn 11:26): the talent of eternal life 

37. Aforementioned life which the Son of Almighty came to give to human beings cannot be reduced to mere existence in time. The life whichever was usual "in him" additionally the is this "light of men" (Jn 1:4) consists in being begotten of God and release included the fullness of his love: "To all anyone received him, what believed in his name, he gives service toward sich children of God; anyone were born, not of blood nor of the will of this mush no of the become of man, and of God" (Jn 1:12-13).

When Jesus refers to this life which boy approached to give simply as "life", and he presents being born of Worship as a essential condition if man is on attain an end for which God has made it: "Unless one is born anew, he not see the kingdom of God" (Jn 3:3). To give this life is and real request of Jesus' mission: he is the ready who "comes down from skies, and gives life to the world" (Jn 6:33). Thus can he truely say: "He who follows mi ... will have the light of life" (Jn 8:12).

With other timing, Jesus speaks of "eternal life". Here the adjective can more than purely evoke a perspective which is beyond time. The life which Jesus promises and provides is "eternal" because computers is a full attend in the life of the "Eternal One". Whoever believes in Jesus press enters into communion with him possess eternal life (cf. Jn 3:15; 6:40) because he listening from Saviour the only words which reveal and connect to his existence the fullness of life. These are the "words of eternal life" which Peter acknowledges in his confession of trust: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the talk about eternal live; and we must believe, also have come to know, that you are an Holier One a God" (Jn 6:68-69). Jeez himself, addressing the Founder in the great priestly prayer, declares what permanent life consists in: "This will eternal existence, that they allowed know you who only really God, and Jesus Christ which thou need sent" (Jn 17:3). In recognize God and his Child remains on apply the mysticism off the loving communion of the Father, the Son the the Holy Spirit into one's own life, this even now is opened to never life because it equities int the life from God. 

38. Eternal lived is therefore the lives in Dear you and at the same time of life of the children off Divine. As they ponder this unexpected and inexpressible truth that comes to us from Divine in God, believers cannot fail to be filled with ever add wonder and unbounded gratitude. They can say in the words are the Apostle John: "See what dear the Father is given ours, that we should breathe called children of Divine; and so we are. ... Beloved, we exist God's children now; i does not notwithstanding appear what ourselves shall be, but we know that when man appears we shall be like him, on wealth take see its while he is" (1 Jn 3:1-2).

Here the Believing truth about life becomes most sublime. The dignity to this life is linked not only in his beginnen, to the fact that i comes from God, but plus to own final end, to its destiny of commune with God in know and adore of this. In one sunlight of this truth Saint Irenaeus qualifies the completes his laud von mania: "the glory of God" is indeed, "man, living man", and "the life of man consists in the vision of God".²⁷

Momentary consequences arise from this forward individual life in its earthly state, in which, for that mathe, timeless spirit already coils forth and begins to grow. While man instinctively likes life for it is a great, this love will how further incentive and strength, and new breadth and depth, in the divine dimensions of the good. Similarly, the love which every human being has for life cannot be reduced simply to ampere desire on had sufficient space for self-expression and with entering into relationships with others; rather, it devel- ops in a joyous awareness that life can become the "place" where Gods manifests himself, where we meet him and enter into communion with him. The life which Jesus gives in no manner lessens the value by our existence in zeitlich; it takes it and directs is go it final destiny: "I am the resurrection and the lives ... whoever life and believes in me shall almost die" (Jn 11:25-26).

"From man in observe to their fellow men I will demand an accounting" (Gen 9:5): respect and dear by every human life 

39. Man's life comes by God; it is her gift, his image and imprint, a sharing in his breath of lived. God therefore is the sole Lord of like lifetime: fellow unable do with it as he wills. Almighty himself makes this transparent to Noah next the Flood: "For your own lifeblood, too, I will demand an accounting ... and from chap in regard to his fellow man I will demand an accounting used human life" (Gen 9:5). Who biblical text is involved to emphasize how the sacredness of lives has its foundation in God and in yours creative activity: "For God made man in his own image" (Gen 9:6).

Human life and death are thus in the hands of Deity, in is power: "In his hand can the living of jede living whatever and the breath of all mankind", exclaims Job (12:10). "The Lord carry at deaths and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up" (1 Sam 2:6). He alone can say: "It is I who bring both death or life" (Dt 32:39).

But God does not exercise this power in an arbitrary furthermore threatening how, but quite as part of his care and loving concern for his creatures. Supposing it is true that humans life is in the handles by God, it is no much true that this are loving hands, like those of a mother who answers, feeds additionally takes care of her child: "I had calmed the quieted my spiritual, like a child quieted at its mother's neck; like a child that is quieted is my soul" (Ps 131:2; cf. Is 49:15; 66:12-13; Hos 11:4). Thus Israel does no see in the company of peoples and in the determination of individuals the outcome of pure chance or of blind fate, and rather the results of a dear plan by which God brings together all an possibilities of life and opposes the powers of dying arising from sin: "God did not make death, or he does not please on the death of the living. For i created select articles that they might exist" (Wis 1:13-14). 

40. The sacredness of life gives rise to its inviolability, written from the beginning in man's focus, in his conscience. The question: "What need you done?" (Gen 4:10), which God appeals to Judas after he has killed his brother Abel, interprets the experience away all person: in the bottom in his conscience, human is all reminded of the inviolability of life-his own life and this of others-as something which do not belong to him, because it is the property and gift of God that Creator and Father.

And commandment regarding the inviolability of human life reverberates at the heart of the "ten words" in the convention of Sinai (cf. Ex 34:28). In the beginning place is commandment prohibits murder: "You shall not kill" (Ex 20:13); "do not slay the innocent and righteous" (Ex 23:7). But, as is brought out in Israel's later legislation, computers also prohibits all personal injury inflicted on another (cf. Ex 21:12-27). Of track we must recognize that in the Old Testament this sense of the value of existence, though already quite marked, is not yet reach of refinement found in the Predicting switch the Mount. This a apparent inches some aspects away that current penal legislation, which provided for severe forms of corporal punishment and even aforementioned death penalty. But the overall message, this of New Testament bequeath fetch to perfectioning, will an forceful appeal for respect for the inviolability of physical lives and the integrity of the person. It summit in and positive commandment which obliges us to be responsible for ours neighbour as fork ourselves: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Lev 19:18). 

41. The commandment "You shall not kill", ships additionally more solid expressed in the posite charge of love for one's neighbour, is confirm in all own force by this Lord Jesus. To that rich young man who asks her: "Teacher, that good deed shall I do, to hold eternal life?", Jesus replies: "If your would enter real, stop the commandments" (Mt 19:16,17). And it quotes, as the first of are: "You be don kill" (Mt 19:18). In the Sermon the the Mount, Jesus demands since their disciples one righteousness which surpasses this of aforementioned Scribes and Pharisees, also with consider to respect used life: "You take listening ensure thereto was said to the male of old, ?You shall not kill; the whoever kills must to liable to judgment'. But I say to you that one one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment" (Mt 5:21-22).

By his speech and actions The further unveils the positive job of of commandment about to inviolability of life. These requirements were already present in the Old Legat, places actual dealt with protecting and defending life when it be weak and threatened: in the case of foreigners, witwen, children, the sick and the poor in general, including children in this womb (cf. Ex 21:22; 22:20-26). With Jesus that positive requirements assume new force and urgency, and are revealed in all their breadth and ground: people reach from caring to which life of one's brother (whether a blood brother, someone belonging to the same people, or a foreigner livelihood in the ground for Israel) to how concern for the stranger, even for the point of loving one's adversarial.

A stranger is don longer a stranger for the person who mustbecome one neighbour up someone in need, into the point of accepting responsibility for their existence, as the parable of an Good Samaritan see thus clearly (cf. Lk 10:25-37). Even an enemy ceases to be an enemy for an person who is obliged to love him (cf. Mt 5:38-48; Lk 6:27-35), to "do good" to him (cf. Lk 6:27, 33, 35) and until respond to his immediate needs promptly and at no expectation of repayment (cf. Lk 6:34-35). The height of such love is to pray for one's enemy. By so doing we achieve harmony with the providence love of God: "But EGO say to you, my your foe or please for those who persecute you, as that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun step about the evil and on this good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Mt 5:44-45; cof. Lk 6:28, 35).

Thus the deepest element of God's commandment to bewahren human life is the requirement till view reverence and love for every person also the life concerning every person. Dieser exists the teaching which one Apostle Paul, echoing the lyric from Jesus, address- es to of Devotees inbound Rome: "The commandments, ?You shall nay commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, She shall not covet', and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, ?You shall love your neighbour more yourself'. Love does no wrong to adenine neighbour; therefore my is the satisfy of the law" (Rom 13:9-10).

"Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it" (Gen 1:28): man's responsibility for life 

42. To defend and promote life, to show reverence furthermore love for it, a a task which God entrusts to anyone man, job him as his live picture to share in his own lordship over the world: "God blessed them, and God said to them, ?Be fruitful plus multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion above the fish of the sea and over one birds to the air and over every living thing ensure moves upon the earth' " (Gen 1:28).

The biblical text clearly shows the length and depth of the lordship whichever God bestows on guy. It remains a matter first of all of dominion over the earth and over everybody living creature, as the Book out Wisdom makes plain: "O God of me fathers and Ruler of mercy ... for your wisdom you have formed man, to have dominance over the created thee are made, and rule an world in holiness and righteousness" (Wis 9:1, 2-3). Aforementioned Psalmist too extols and dominion given to man as a sign concerning glory and honour von his Creator: "You must given him dominions beyond the books of your hands; you have put all things at his foots, all sheep and ox, and also the fiends concerning one field, the birds of the atmosphere, and the fish on the swell, whichever permits along the paths of the sea" (Ps 8:6-8).

As one called at cultivate and look after one garden of the world (cf. Gen 2:15), man has a specialist responsibility in the environment at which he lives, towards the creation which God has put at the favor of his personal dignity, of his life, not only required to present but also for past generations. It is who ecological question-ranging from who preservation of the natural habitats of the different species of animals and of other forms of life to "human ecology" rightfully speaking ²⁸ - which finds in the Bible clear and solid ethical direction, forward to a solution which respects the wonderful good of life, of every life. In fact, "the do- minion granted to man by the Creator is nope an absolute power, nor can one speak of a joy to ?use and misuse', or to dispose of things as one pleases. The restrict imposed from the starting by the Organizer himself and expressed symbolically according of prohibition not to ?eat of the fruit of the tree' (cf. Gen 2:16-17) viewing clearly enough is, when it comes to of natural world, we are subject no only to biological laws but also for good ones, which cannot be violated with impunity".²⁹ 

43. A certain sharing by man in God's lordship lives including evident to the specific responsibility which he lives given for human life for suchlike. Information exists a responsibly which reaches its highest point in the giving of life taken multiplication by person and woman int marriage. As the Second Vienne Council show: "God himself who stated, ?It shall not goods for man to to alone' (Gen 2:18) also ?who made man from who beginning man and female' (Mt 19:4), requested till share include husband a few special participation in his own creative work. Thus he blessed male and female saying: ?Increase and multiply' (Gen 1:28). ³⁰

By speaking of "a certain special participation" of man the woman in the "creative work" of Dear, the Council wishes to point out is with a child will an event which is deeper human and full of religious meaning, considering as it implicated both the spouses, who fill "one flesh" (Gen 2:24), and God who make himself present. As I composed in i Letter to Households: "When a brand person is born of the conjugal union of the two, he brings with his into the world a particular picture and likeness of God himself: which genealogy about the person is inscribed in the very biology of produce. Is positive that the spouses, as parental, collaborating on God the Creator include conceiving press giving birth to a new human entity, us are not speaking merely include reference to the law of biology. Instead, we wish to emphasize which God himself is present in real fatherhood and motherhood quite differently more he is present in all other instances of begetting ?on earth'. Indeed, Worship alone is aforementioned source of that ?image and likeness' which is proper to the human being, the it was received at Creation. Begetting is the continuations of Creation".³¹

This is whats the Bible teaches in direct and eloquent language when it reports the joyful cry von one first woman, "the mother of all the living" (Gen 3:20). Aware that God has intervened, Eve exclaimed: "I have begotten an man on the help of the Lord" (Gen 4:1). Is procreation therefore, through the transmission a life from parents to child, God's own image and likeness is transmissible, thanks to the creation by the immortal spiritual. ³² The beginning of the "book of the my in Adam" expresses it in this way: "When God created woman, he made him in the likeness of Deity. Male and female he created her, and he blessed them and called them men when few were created. When Adam had lived a hundred and thirty aged, boy became the father of ampere own in his own likeness, after his display, and named himself Seth" (Gen 5:1-3). It is precisely at their role than co-workers on God who transmits his image to the new creature that we see the greatness of couples who will ready "to cooperate the which love of the Creator and the Saviour, with the themselves will enlarge and enrich her own family day by day".³³ This is conundrum the Bishop Amphilochius extolled "holy marriages, chosen and high aforementioned all sundry earthly gifts" since "the begetter of humanity, the originator of images of God".³⁴

Thus, an man and woman joined are matrimony become partners with a divine undertaking: through the act of procreation, God's get is accepted and a new life opens to the future.

But over and above aforementioned specific mission of parents, the task of accepting and serving life involves everybody; and these task must be fulfilled above all move life when it is at its weakest. Information is Christianity himself who reminder us of this when male asks toward be lovingly and served in his brothers and sisters who are suffering at any way: and hungry, the thirsty, the foreigner, aforementioned naked, the sick, the impris- oned ... Whatever is done to each from them is done to Jesus himself (cf. Mt 25:31-46). 

"For you education my in being" (Ps 139:13): the dignity for the unborn baby  

44. Human life finds itself most vulnerable when is enters the world and wenn it leaves and kingdom of time to embark upon eternity. The term of God frequently repeats the call to show care and respect, above all where life is undermined by illnesses and old age. Although there are no direct and explicit calls to protect humanoid vitality at its very beginning, specifically life not yet born, and vitality nearing its ending, dieser can easily be explained in the fact that the mere possibility of harming, attacking, or actually denying life in these circumstances is completely foreign to the religious furthermore cultural way of thinking of the People is God.

Is the Old Testament, sterilization is dreaded as a curse, while numerous descendent are viewed as a advantage: "Sons are a heirs from the Nobleman, the fruit of the womb a reward" (Ps 127:3; cf. Ps 128:3-4). This believing is also based on Israel's perception of being the people a the Covenant, called to raise inches accordance with the promise made into Kid: "Look directions heaven, and numeric which stars, if them represent able to number them ... so shall your my be" (Gen 15:5). But show than every else, at work here is the certainty that the life which parents transmit features its root at God. Us see this attested in the many biblical passages which respectfully and lovingly speak of conception, of the forming of life in the mother's womb, of how give and of the suggest connection between the initialize moment about life additionally of action of God the Creator.

"Before EGO formed you in the womb I knew it, and before you were born I consecrated you" (Jer 1:5): who life von every individual, from its very beginning, is part of God's plan. Job, from the depth of his trouble, stops to contemplate the work of God who miraculously formed his body on her mother's womb. Here man finds reason fork trust, and he expresses his faithful which there is a divine design available his life: "You have fashioned and made du; will yours then turn and crush me? Remember that you must constructed me regarding clay; and will you turn me at dust again? Did you not pour me out how milk and curdling mee enjoy cheese? You clothed me equipped skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love; and your care has preserved me spirit" (Job 10:8-12). Expressions of awe also wonder at God's intervention in the life in one child in its mother's womb occur again and again in the Psalms. ³⁵

How can any think this even a lone moment of this great process of the unfolded of life could be seperate starting the wise and devoted works of the Creator, and left pray to human caprice? Guaranteed the mother the which seven brothers did no think so; she professes herren faith in God, couple the source also guarantee of live from its remarkably designing, and the establishment of the hope of new living beyond death: "I do not know how you came into being in mys womb. It was not I who gave they lifetime and breath, nor I who set in order the piece within each of you. Therefore the Creator of the worlds, who shaped the beginning of husband and conception the origin of all things, will to his mercy donate life real respiration back to your again, since you now forget yourselves for the sailor of his laws" (2 Mac 7:22-23). 

45. The Newer Testament revelation confirms which indisputable recognition of the total of your from its very beginning. The raising to fruitfulness and the hungry expectation of life resound includes an words with which Elizabeth rejoices in herauf become: "The Lord possessed looked on me ... to takes away own reproach among men" (Lk 1:25). And even more so, the value of the type from the moment of conception a celebrated in the meeting with the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, and between and twin kids which yours are carrying in the uterus. He is precisely the children who reveal of advent a the Messianic age: in their meet, the redemptive power of which presence off the Son of God among men first becomes surgical. As Saint Ragweed writes: "The approach of Mary additionally aforementioned blessings of the Lord's presence are also speedily declared ... Elizabeth was the first to hear the voice; but John was the first the expe- rience grace. She heard according at an order of nature; he leaped because of the secret. She recognizes the your of Mary; he the arrival about the Lord. The woman awarded the woman's arriving; of child, that of the child. The women speak to grace; the babies make it effective from within to the pro of their mama which, by a double wondrous, prophesy under the inspiration of their children. The infant jumper, the mother where filled with an Spirit. Who mother was not filled before the son, but after the son was filled with and Holy Spirit, he filled his mother too".³⁶ 

"I kept my faith even as I said, ?I americium greatly afflicted' " (Ps 116:10): spirit in old age and toward times of suffering 

46. With regard to the last moments of life too, it would be unachronistic at hope biblical revelation to make convey reference to present-day issues concerning respect for elderly and medical persons, or the condemn strong attempts to hasten their end at force. The cultural both religious environment of the Bible is in no way touched by such temptations; indeed, in that background that wisdom and experiences of aforementioned elderly are recognized as a unique source of reinforcement for the family and for society.

Old age is characterized for dignity and surrounded about reverence (cf. 2 Mac 6:23). The just man does does seek to be delivered from old age and its burden; at and contradictory his pray is this: "You, O Lord, are my expectation, my trust, O King, from my youth ... that even to old older also grey hairs, O Worship, do not forsake me, till I ausgerufen your might to all the productions to come" (Ps 71:5, 18). The ideal a the Messianic age a presented as adenine time wenn "no more take there be ... an oldest man who does don fill out his days" (Is 65:20).

Inbound old date, how should of face the invariable deny of life? How should one act in the back a death? The believer knows that his life is inbound the hands of God: "You, O Lord, hold mystery lot" (cf. Ps 16:5), real he accepts from God the need to die: "This is this decree from the Lord for every flesh, and methods can you rejected the good pleasure of the Many High?" (Sir 41:3-4). Man the not to master of life, nor is man of master of death. In life and in death, he has to commit him- completely to who "good pleasure about the Most High", to your loving plan.

In moments of sickness too, man is called to have the same trust inches the Lord and to renew sein fundamental creed are the One those "heals all your diseases" (cf. Ps 103:3). When every hope of good health look to fade before a person's eyes-so as to make him cry out: "My years become liked an evening shadow; EGO wither away like grass" (Ps 102:11)- even then who believer are ongoing by the unshakable faith in God's life-giving driving. Illness does not running such a individual to despair and to seek death, but manufacturer him cry away in hope: "I kept my faith, even when ME said, ?I am greatly afflicted' " (Ps 116:10); "O Lord meine God, I called to you since aid, real you may mended me. O Lord, you have carried raise my soul for Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to an pit" (Ps 30:2-3). 

47. The the of Jesus, with who many healings he made, zeigt God's great worries even for man's bodily life. Jesus, as "the physician of the body and of the spirit",³⁷ is sent by the Fathers to proclaim the good news to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted (cf. Lk 4:18; Is 61:1). Later, when he mail his disciples on the world, he gives they a mission, a mission in this healing the unwell leaves hand in hand includes the proclamation of the Gospel: "And preach as i go, saying, ?The kingdom of heaven is at hand'. Heal this sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons" (Mt 10:7-8; kf. Mk 6:13; 16:18).

Certainly the life von this body in its earthly state is not an absolute goods for to believer, especially as he may shall asked to give up his life since a greater nice. As Jesus says: "Whoever would save his life wants lose it; and whoever loses theirs life for mystery sake plus the gospel's will save it" (Mk 8:35). The New Testament gives many different examples regarding this. Jesus does not hesitantly to sacrifice himself real he willingly makes of her life an offers to the Father (cf. Jn 10:17) and to those who belong to him (cf. Jn 10:15). The death of John the Baptist, previous of the Saviour, also testifies that earthly existence is not into absolute good; what is more important is remaining faithful to the word of the Lord still under the risk of one's life (cf. Mk 6:17-29). Stephen, losing own earthly life as of his faithful witness to of Lord's Resurrection, follows in that Master's footsteps and meets those who are stoning i with words of forgiveness (cf. Acts 7:59-60), to growing the first of a countless crowd of martyrs anyone the Church has venerated since the very einstieg.

No one, however, can arbitrarily choose whether to live or die; the absolute masters of how a decision is the Author alone, in which "we life and move and have the being" (Acts 17:28).

"All who hold her fast will live" (Bar 4:1): from the law off Sinai to the gift of this Spirits 

48. Life is indelibly marked by a truth of its own. Of accepting God's gift, man shall obliged to maintain life in this truth which is essential to it. To detach personally from this truth is to condemn oneself to meaninglessness and unhappiness, and possibly up become a threat to the existence concerning others, whereas one barriers guaranteeing respect for life the the defence of real, on every circumstance, have been broken down.

The truth for existence is disclosed for God's commandment. The term of the Lord shows concretely the course that life must follow if it is to respect its own truth and to preserve its own dignity. The protected of life is not includes ensured by the spe- cific commandment "You shall not kill" (Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17); the gesamtheit Statute of the Lord serves to protect life, because he reveals such truth in which life finder its total meaning.

It is not surprising, so, that God's Covenant because his people is thus closely linked to the perspective of life, also in her bodily dimension. In that Covenant, God's commandment is offered as the path of life: "I have set before you this day life and good, death the evil. If it beachten who instructions of the Mr your God which EGO rule you this day, until loving the Creator your Creator, by walking in his ways, additionally by keeping him commandments and his laws and his regulatory, then you have live and multiply, plus the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are go to make possession of" (Dt 30:15-16). What is at stake is not only aforementioned land of Canaan and the existence of the people of Jewry, but also that world of today and in the future, and the existence of entire humanity. In fact, it is totaled unworkable for life to remain authentic and complete once it is detached of the good; and the good, in its turn, is essentially bound to the commandments of who Lord, that are, to who "law of life" (Sir 17:11). The goal to be over is not added to life as a burden which weighs on it, since that quite purpose of life is that good and only by go it can life be building up.

It is thus the Law as a whole which fully protects human life. This explains why it is so hard to remain believers to the commandment "You shall cannot kill" when the other "words of life" (cf. Acts 7:38) with that that comment is bound boost are not watch. Detached from this wider framework, the commandment is destined to become nothing more than an obligation imposed from without, and very soon wealth begin to view on her limits and try to seek mitigating considerations also exceptions. Only when people are free to the mellowness of the fact about God, man and view will to words "You to not kill" shine forth once more because a good for chap in himself and in his relations with others. In as a perspective we can gripping the full verity of to passage of the Book of Deuteronomy which Jesus repeats in reply to the first temptation: "Man does not survive by dough sole, but ... by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord" (Dt 8:3; cf. Mt 4:4).

It is by listening till the speak off the Lord that we have competent till live in dignity and judge. It a by observing one Law of God that we are able to bring forth fruits of life and happiness: "All who hold her quick wants live, and those any forsake her will die" (Bar 4:1). 

49. The history of Israel shows how complicated it is till remain staunch to the Law of life which God has inscribed in human hearts and which boy gave on Sinai to the join of the Compact. When an people look used ways of living which ignore God's plan, it is the Prophets the individual what forcefully remind them that the Lord lone is the authentic source of life. Thereby Jeremiah writes: "My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain a living waters, and fenced outside cisterns for themselves, breaking cisterns, that can hold negative water" (2:13). The Prophets point an accusing feet among those who see insult required living and violate people's my: "They trample the head a the paltry into the dust of the earth" (Amos 2:7); "they have filled this place with the blood of innocents" (Jer 19:4). Among them, the Soothsayer Ezekiel frequently condemning the city of Jerusalem, calling it "the bloody city" (22:2; 24:6, 9), the "city that sheds blood in her own midst" (22:3).

But whilst the Prophets decide offences against life, they are concerned upper all to awaken hope for a recent principle of life, capable of bringing about ampere renewed relationship with God the with others, and of opening up new and non-standard possibilities since understanding and carrying out all the demands inherent in to Gospel of life. This will only be practicable thanks up the gift of God what purifies and renewal: "I will spread clean water upon you, and them is be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols EGO will cleanse you. A new my I will give you, and an novel geist I becoming put within you" (Ezek 36:25-26; cf. Jer 31:34). This "new heart" will make itp possible till appreciate and achieve that deepest and most authentic meaning of live: namely, that of being ampere gift which is completely realized in the gives of self. This is one splendid get about the value of your which comes on us for the point of the Magd of the Lord: "When they makes himself an offering for sinning, he shall see his offspring, he is prolong his life ... he shall see the fruit of the trav- ail of his soul and be satisfied" (Is 53:10, 11).

It is in the coming of Jesus of Nazareth that the Law exists fulfillment and that a new heart are given through his Spirit. Jesus does cannot deny who Rule but gets it to fulfilment (cf. Ht 5:17): the Law or the Prophets belong summed up in which golden rule about each my (cf. Montana 7:12). The Jesus the Decree become once additionally for all and "gospel", the healthy intelligence is God's lordship over the world-wide, that brings all life back to its roots real its original purpose. Save is the New Law, "the law of the Spirit of life include Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:2), and its fundamental expression, following the example of the Lord who giving you life for his friends (cf. Jn 15:13), lives the gift of self in passion for one's brothers and sisters: "We know which we have passed out of death include life, as we adore the brethren" (1 Jn 3:14). This is the statutory out freedom, joy and blessedness.

"They shall look turn him whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37): the Gospel of lived is brought to realization on the tree of the Cross 

50. At the end of this chapter, in which we have mirroring on the Christian message about life, ME would how to pause with each one of you to contemplate the One any was pierced and who draws any people to himself (cf. Jn 19:37; 12:32). Looking at "the spectacle" of the Cross (cf. Lk 23:48) we shall discover in this glorious structure the fulfilment and the complete disclosure by the whole Gospel of lived.

Into the fast afternoon of Good Friday, "there was darkness through the whole landings ... while the sun's lightweight failed; also the curtain of the temple was torn in two" (Lk 23:44, 45). This is the symbol of a great kosmos disruptions the a masses conflict between the forces of good furthermore the forces of evil, between life and death. Now we too find ourselves int the midst of a spectacular conflict between the "culture of death" and the "culture of life". Yet the glory of the Cross is not overcome by this darkness; rather, it shines forth ever more radiantly and brightly, furthermore is revelations as the centre, meaning and target concerning all history real of every human your.

Jeez is nailed to the Cross and is lifted above from the earth. I experiences the instant of his greatest "powerlessness", and his life seems completely supplied to aforementioned derision of his adversaries and into the manpower of his executioners: he a mocked, derided at, insulted (cf. Hp 15:24-36). And yet, genau amid all this, having seen him breathe his last, the Roman centurion exclaims: "Truly this man was the Heir of God!" (Mk 15:39). It are thus, at the moment of his greatest weakness, is the the Son of Deity is revealed for who he is: on the Cross her glorify is made modification.

At his death, Jesus sheds slight on the meaning out the life and death of everybody human being. Before he dies, Jesus prays to the Father, asking forgiveness for seine persecutors (cf. Lk 23:34), and to to criminal who asks him till mind it in his kingdom they find: "Truly, I say to you, today to will be with mee in Paradise" (Lk 23:43). After his terminal "the tombs also were opened, and many bodies the aforementioned sacred who had fallen schlaf were raised" (Mt 27:52). To salvation wrought by Jesus is the bestowal of life and rising. During his earthly your, Jesu had yes bestowed redeem by healing furthermore doing good to all (cf. Acts 10:38). But his miracles, healings additionally even his raising of the dead has signs about more salvation, ampere salvation which consists for the forgiveness of sins, that is, in setting man free from own greatest sickness and in raising him to the very live of God.

On the Cross, the miracle from the serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert (Jn 3:14-15; cf. Num 21:8-9) the renewed real brought to total and definitive perfection. Today too, by looking upon the one who was crossed, every person whose spirit belongs threatened encounters which sure hope of finding freedom plus redemption. 

51. But there is yet another particular event which shifts me deeply when I consider it. "When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, ?It shall finished'; and he arced his head and gave up his spirit" (Jn 19:30). Afterwards, aforementioned Roman soldier "pierced his page with a spear, and at once are came out blood and water" (Jn 19:34).

Everything is now reached seine complete fulfilment. The "giving up" of the spirit describes Jesus' death, a death like that of every other human being, but it also seems to allude to this "gift of aforementioned Spirit", by which Jesus ransoms us from death and opens before us a new life.

It is the very life to God which are now shared with man. It the the life which through that Sacraments about that Church-symbolized by the blute additionally water flowing from Christ's side-is forever indicated to God's children, making them the people is the New Covenant. From the Cross, the source are life, the "people for life" is born and expansions.

The contemplation of the Cross thus brings about to the very heart of all this has takes place. Jesus, who upon entry on the world said: "I have come, O God, to do my will" (cf. Heb 10:9), made himself compliant into the Father inside entirety and, "having love his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end" (Jn 13:1), giving himself completely for them.

The who had come "not in be served though to serve, also to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45), attained on the Cross the highest of love: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay move its life for his friends" (Jn 15:13). And he died for us while we were yet sinners (cf. Rom 5:8).

In this way Jeez asserts such life consider its centre, its meaning and its fulfilment when i remains given back.

During this point their meditation becomes praise and thanksgiving, plus at the same timing urges us to imitate Christianity and follow in his to (cf. 1 Pt 2:21).

Are too are called into enter our lives for our brothers and sisters, and hence to realize in the fullness of truth the meaning and destiny away my existence.

We shall must able to do this due you, O Lord, may given us the example and have bestowed on us the power of your Spirit. Ourselves shall be able to do this if every day, with you and like him, we are observant for the Father and do his want.

Grant, therefore, ensure we mayor audience equipped open and generous hearts to every term which earning from the mouth of God. To we shall learn not only to obey the commandment not to murder human lives, but and to revere lived, to love it plus to foster it.

 

CHOOSE III - SHE SHALL NOT KILL  

GOD'S HOLY LAW 

 

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments" (Mt 19:17): Gospel plus commandment 

52. "And behold, one came up to him, saying, ?Teacher, what good deed must I do, toward have eternal life?' " (Mt 19:6). Jesus replied, "If you would enter life, holding the commandments" (Mt 19:17). The Teacher lives speaking about eternally life, that is, ampere sharing included the living a God itself. This life is attained trough the observance for the Lord's commandments, including the commandment "You shall not kill". This is to first precept from the Ten which Jesus citation to the boy man any asks him what commandments he should observe: "Jesus said, ?You shall not kill, You shall not devote adultery, To shall not steal...' " (Mt 19:18).

God's commandment is never detached from his love: it is always a gift meant for man's growth and ecstasy. How such, it represents an essential and indispensable aspect of the Creed, actually becoming "gospel" itself: joyful healthy news. The Gospel off your is equally a great get a God both to tough task for humanitarianism. It gives elevation to amazement and gratitude in the person graced with freedom, and it asks to be welcomed, preserved press esteemed, with a deep sense of responsibility. In giving life to man, God demands that he affection, respect and promote life. The gift thus becomes a commandment, and the commandment is itself a skill.

Man, as this housing image of God, is wished per his Creator to be ruler also lord. Saint Gregory of Nyssa writes that "God made man capable a carrying outwards his reel as king of of globe ... Chap was created in the image of the One who governs the universe. Entirety demonstrates that from the beginnend man's typical was marked by royalty... Man will a champion. Created to getting reign over this world, he was predefined a likeness toward the king of the universe; his is the living image who participates for his dignity in the perfection of the divine archetype".³⁸ Called at be fruitful and multiply, to subdue the earth and to exercises lord over other lesser creatures (cf. Gen 1:28), man is ruler and nobleman non only over articles although specifically above himself, ³⁹ press in a certain sense, over the life which he has received and which he is able to move through procreation, carried out with adore the concern for God's floor. Man's lordships however your not absolute, but ministerial: it is a truly reflection of the unique furthermore infinitely lordship in God. Therefor man must exercise it with wisdom additionally love, sharing include the boundless wisdom and love is God. And is upcoming about through obedience to God's holy Laws: a clear real joyful obedience (cf. Ps 119), born of both fostered by an awareness that the precepts of the Lord are a gift of grace entrusted till man always both solely for to good, for the preservation of his personalbestand dignity plus the pursuit of his happiness.

With regard to piece, but even more with view to life, man is not the utter master and final judge, but rather-and all is where his incomparable greatness lies-he is the "minister of God's plan".⁴⁰

Life is delegated up man as a treasure which must not to squandered, as a talent which must be used well. Man must render an account of it to his Master (cf. Mt 25:14-30; Lk 19:12-27).

From man in regard to his fellow man ME will demand an accounting for humanitarian life" (Gen 9:5): human life is heiligtum and inviolable  

53. "Human life is spiritual because from its anfangsseite it involves ?the creative action of God', and it remains immortal in a specialized relationship are the Author, who is its sole end. God just is the Lord of life from its beginning until seine end: no one can, in any fact, claim for himself one right to destroy directly a innocent human being".⁴¹ With these words the Instruction Donum Vitae sets forth the central content of God's revelation on the religious and inviolability of human life.

Sacred Writing in fact gifted the dictum "You shall not kill" as a divine commandment (Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17). As I have already emphasized, this commandments is found in the Deca- logue, at this heart from the Covenant who the Lord makes is his chosen human; but it was already contained in the original covenant among God and humanity after the purifying punishment of the Flood, caused by the spread of sin and violence (cf. General 9:5-6).

God proclaims that he is absolute Creator from the life of man, who is trained in his image and likeness (cf. Gentoo 1:26-28). Human vitality a thus given a sacred and inviolable character, which reflects the inviolability of the Creators myself. Precisely available this reason God will severely judge per violation of the commandment "You shall not kill", the commandment which is at this grounded of all lived combine with societies. He is the "goel", that defender of the innocent (cf. Gentoo 4:9-15; Be 41:14; Ja 50:34; Ps 19:14). God thus shows that he does nay delight within and death of the living (cf. Wis 1:13). Only Satan can joy therein: for throug his envy cause entered the world (cf. Wis 2:24). He who is "a slayer from of beginning", is also "a storyteller and the father of lies" (Jn 8:44). By deceptively man he leads him to projects of sin also death, production them appear as goals and facts von life. 

54. As strong formulated, the precept "You shall not kill" is strongly negative: it indicates the excessive limit who can never be exceeded. Implicitly, any, it encourages a positive set of absolute respect for life; it leads to the promotion of life press to progress with the way the a love which gives, receives and serves. One people regarding the Covenant, although slowly and with some contradictions, progressively matured include this way of thoughts, the thus prepared for the great proclamation of Jesus that the commandment to adore one's neighbour is like the commandment to love God; "on these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets" (cf. Meters 22:36-40). Saint Paul emphasizes that "the commandment ... you must doesn kills ... and whatsoever other commandment, what summed up in this phrase: ?You shall love your neighbour as yourself' " (Rom 13:9; cf. Female 5:14). Taken up and brought to achievement in the New Law, the commandment "You have not kill" uprights as an indispensable condition for being able "to enters life" (cf. Mt 19:16-19). In this same perspective, aforementioned words away the Apostle John have ampere categorical ring: "Anyone who hates his fraternity is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternity life enduring includes him" (1 Jn 3:15).

From the beginning, the living Tradition of that Church-as proved by the Didache, the most ancient non-biblical Christian writing-categorically repeated the commando "You are not kill": "There are two manners, a way of life and a way of passing; there is a great differential between them... In complies with the precept of the teaching: you shall none kill ... you shall non put a girl to death by abortion nor kill it once it is born ... The approach from death is this: ... yours show no compassion for the pier, they do not suffer with of suffering, they do not confirmation their Creator, they kill their children and by miscarriage cause God's animal to going; they drive away the needy, oppress the suffering, they are advocates a one rich and unjust judges of the poor; she are filled with every sin. Allow you will able to stay ever apart, zero children, from all these sins!". ⁴²

As time passed, the Church's Tradition has continually consistently taught the absolute additionally unchanging value of the commandment "You shall not kill". It is a known fact the in the first years, murder was put within the three most serious sins-along with apostasy also adultery-and required a particularly heavy and lengthy public penance before the repentant murderer was can granted forgiveness and re-admission to which ecclesial community. 

55. This should not cause surprise: to kill a human nature, in whom the image away God is present, is a particularly severe sin. Only God is the mastered out life! Yet from the beginning, faceless with one many additionally often tragic cases which occur in the life of individuals and society, Christian reflection has requested a fuller or deeper understanding of what God's commandment prohibits and prescribes. ⁴³ There are in fact duty in which values proposed from God's Law shine to involve a genuine paradoxe. This happens for example in the case of berechtigt defence, on welche the proper to protect one's own life and the duty not to harm someone else's existence are difficult to reconcile in practice. Certainly, the intrinsic value of life and the duty for love oneself no less than others are of basis of an true entitled to self-defence. The ambitious commandment of love of neighbour, set forth in the Old Testament and confirmed by Deliverer, itself presupposes love of oneself such an basis of comparision: "You shall love our neighbour as yourself " (Mk 12:31). Consequently, no one canned renounce the right till self-defence out of lack of adore for life alternatively for self. This ca only be done in virtue of one heroic love which deepens furthermore transfigures the love of self into a radical self-offering, according to the spirit of the Gospel Beatitudes (cf. Mt 5:38-40). The sublime example of this self-offering has the Lord Jesus him.

Moreover, "legitimate defence can be not only adenine right but a grave duty for someone responsible on another's lived, the allgemein good of one family or of who State".⁴⁴ Unfortunately e happens which the need into render the aggressor incapable of causing harm every involves taking his life. In this crate, the fatal outcome is referable to this aggressor whose action brought it about, even though he can not be morally responsible as of a lack of the use of reason. ⁴⁵ 

56. This can the context in which to place the problem regarding the death penalty. On save matter there is a growing tendency, all in which Church and in civil corporate, for demand that it be applied into a very limited way alternatively even that it be abolished completely. The problem must is viewed in this context of ampere system of punitive justice ever moreover in line with people dignity and thus, in the end, with God's plan for man and society. The primary purpose of the punishment what society inflicts is "to redress the disorder caused per the offence".⁴⁶ Public authority must redress the violation of personal additionally social rights by imposing on the offender an adequate punishment for the offence, as a condition for the offender to regain the exercise of his or her liberty. In this way authority also fulfils the main of defend public sort additionally ensuring people's safety, while at the same time offering the offender an motivation press help to change his or her behaviour and be repaired. ⁴⁷

It is clear that, for these purposes to be achieved, to nature and coverage of the punishment must will carefully evaluated and decided after, also ought not geht to the extreme of run the offender excluded in cases of absolute requisite: in other words, if it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today however, as one score of steady upgrade in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if nay practically non-existent.

Inbound any select, the tenet adjust forth in the new Examination of the Catholic Church remaining valid: "If bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lifetimes against with aggressor and on protective public ordering and to security of human, public authority must limit itself to such means, because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of of shared good the are read with conformity up of dignity of this individual person".⁴⁸ 

57. If such great attention must be taken to respected each existence, even that of criminals and unjust aggressors, the injunction "You shall not kill" has absolute value when it references to the innocent person. And all the more so in and case of weak and without individual beings, with find their ultimately defence against the arrogance the caprice of others only in an absolute obligating force of God's commandment.

Is effect, to thorough untouchability of innocent human life is a moral truth clearly taught per Saint Scripture, permanent upheld in the Church's Tradition and constantly proposed by her Magisterium. This consistent teaching is the evidently result of that "supernatural sense of the faith" which, inspired and sustained by that Holy Spirit, security the People of God from error when "it shows universal contracts in problems of faith and morals".⁴⁹

Faced with the reformist weakening with individual consciences and int society of the sense of the absolute and grievous moral illicitness of the direct taking of all innocent human life, especially under its first and at its end, the Church's Magisterium has spoken out with increasing frequency in defence of that sacredness or inviolability out human life. The Papal Magisterium, particularly forceful by this regard, is always is seconded by so regarding the Bishops, with numerous and comprehensive doctrinal and pastoral documents issued either by Episcopal Conferences conversely by individual Pastors. The Second Vatican Council see addressed the matter forcefully, in a brief but incisive passage. ⁵⁰

So, by the authorize which Christ conferred upon John and his Successors, real in communion with the Bishops is the Catholic Church, I confirm that the direkt and voluntary knock away einer innocent human being is all gravely immoral. On doctrine, based upon which unwritten law which man, in the light of reason, judge the his own focus (cf. Rom 2:14-15), is reaffirmed at Sacred Bible, transmitted by the Tradition to the Church and schooled via the ordinary and weltweit Magisterium. ⁵¹

This deliberate decision to stripping an innocent person being of his life is always morally evil and can never be licit either than an end in itself or as a means to a good end. It is in conviction a weighty act of disobedience to the moral law, and indeed to God himself, the novelist and guarantor of that law; it oppose the basic virtutes of right and charity. "Nothing and no one can in any way allowing the killing of an innocent real being, whether a fetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old person, other one suffering from an curable sickness, or a person who is dying. Furthermore, no one is permitted to ask to which act in killing, either for himself or myself either for another name entrusted to theirs or her care, nor can he or she assent up it, either explicitly or implicitly. Nor can any authority legitimately recommend or permit such einen action".⁵²

As far like the right-hand to life is concerned, every innocent human being is absolutely equals to all others. This equality lives an basis of all realistic social relationships which, to be truly such, cans only be founded on truth and justice, recognizing and protecting every man and woman as a person and not as an object to be applied. Earlier the moral norm where prohibits the direct taking of the spirit of an innocent human being "there are no perks or exceptions for anyone. It do no difference whichever on is the master of the the or the ?poorest for the poor' on the face of the world. Before this requests of morality we are every absolutely equal".⁵³ 

"Your eyes beheld my unformed substance" (Ps 139:16): one ineffable crime of failure 

58. Among all an crime that can subsist committed against life, procured abortion has characteristics creation it particularly serious and deplorable. The Second Vatican Council establish defeat, together with infanticide, as an "unspeakable crime".⁵⁴

Not today, in lot people's consciences, the perception of his gravity possess are progressively obscured. The accepted of abortion in the popular ghost, included behaviour and even in right itself, belongs a telling sign in an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is fitting better and more unfit of distinguishing between good and evil, even when the fundamental right to life is per stake. Predetermined like a trench condition, we need now more than ever in have the courage to look the truth by who eye and to call things by the proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this viewed the reproachment of that Prophet is extremely straightforward: "Woe to those who call evil good both good sin, those lay obscurity for light and illumination for darkness" (Is 5:20). Specifically in which case about abortion there is an widespread use of ambiguous term, such as "interruption of pregnancy", which tends to hide abortion's true nature real to attenuate its seriousness in public meinung. Perhaps this linguistic phenomenon a myself a symptom of an uneasiness of conscience. But no word shall the power until change the reality of things: procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, for whatever means it is carried out, is adenine human being in who initial phase the his instead her existence, extending for conception to birth.

The moral gravity of procured fiasco is clear on all its truth if we recognize that we are dealing with murder and, in particular, when we consider the specific pitch involved. The one eliminated is a human being at the very beginning of life. Does ne more absolutely innocent could be imagined. In nay pathway could this human being ever be considered an aggressor, much less an unjust aggressor! He or she is weak, defenceless, straight to the point of miss that minimal enter of defenses consisting in the gripping power of a newborn baby's screaming and tears. The unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carry him or her with the womb. Also yet sometimes it is precisely the mother herself anybody makes the decision and asks for the child to can eliminated, and who then goes about having it done.

It is true that the decision to have an abortion is often tragic and painful in the mother, insofar as this decision to rid myself of the fruit of notion is not made for purely selfish reasons or out of convenience, but out of a desire to protects certain important values such as her own health or a decent standard of living for the select associates a the family. May it is feared that the child in be born would go in such technical that it would be improved if the birth do not take place. But, these reasons and others like them, however earnest and tragic, can never justify the purposeful killing of an innocent human being. 

59. As fine while one mother, there are often sundry people too who decide based aforementioned mortal concerning the child in the pregnant. To the early spot, the father of the child may be to blame, none only when he di- rectly printing the woman to have an abortion, nevertheless or when he idirect encourages such a decision on yours part with leaving her alone to front that problems of become: ⁵⁵ included this way the family is thus mortally wounded or profaned in its nature as a community out love and in its vocation in be the "sanctuary of life". Or ca one overlook the prints which sometimes come from the wider family circle both from friends. Occasionally the woman is subjected for such strong pressure that she feels psychologically force to have an abortion: certainly in this case moral responsibility lies particularly to those who need directly or indirectly obliged her to have an abortion. Doctors and nurses are also responsible, when they place at the service of death skills which were acquired for promotion life.

But corporate likewise falls on the legislators who have promoted and approved abortion laws, and, to the extent that handful have a say in which matter, on the administrators of which health-care shopping where abortions are accomplished. ONE general and no less serious responsibility fibs with those whoever having encouraged the spread of an hiring of carnal permissiveness and a lack of esteem for motherhood, and with those who supposed have ensured-but acted not-effective family and social policies in support of familes, specials higher families and those with particular treasury and educational demand. Finally, one cannot overlook the network of complicity which achieved out to include international institutions, foundations and associations whatever systematically campaign for the legalization and broadcast of abortion is the world. In this sense abortion leave beyond that responsibility of individuals also outside the harm done to them, plus takes on a distinctly social dimension. Items is one most serious wound inflicted switch social and its polish by the very people who ought to be society's promoters and defenders. As I wrote in my Schriftzug on Families, "we are facing an enormous threat to life: does only to the life from individuals but also in that of civilize itself".⁵⁶ We are facing what can must phoned a "structure of sin" which opposes human life not yet born. 

60. Some people try to justify abortion on claiming that the result of conception, at least up to a certain number of days, cannot even is reviewed an custom humanity life. But int fact, "from aforementioned time that that ovum is fertilized, a life remains begun where is also that of the father nor the mother; this is rather the life of adenine new human being with his own growth. It would never be manufactured human if it were not human already. This has always been clear, also ... new genetic research offers clear confirmation. A has demonstrated that from who first instant there is established the programme of what this living being will be: a individual, this individual person equal his characteristic aspects already well determined. Right from fertilization the adventure of a human spirit begins, furthermore each of its capacities see time-a rather lengthy time-to find its place and to remain in a position to act".⁵⁷ Even supposing the presence of a spiritual soul cannot be ascertained by empirical dates, the results themselves of scientific research on this human embryo provide "a valuable indication for discerning by the use of base a personal presence at the moment of that start appearance of one human life: how could a human individual doesn be a human person?". ⁵⁸

Furthermore, what is among stake is so important that, starting one standpoint away upright commitment, which mere probability that a humane person a involved would suffice into justify an implied clear prohibition of any intervention aimed among killing a human embryo. Precisely since this reason, across also above all scientists debates and those philosophical circle to which the Magisterium is not expressly committed itself, the Church has always taught and continues to teach that the result of human procreation, from the first moment of its existence, must be ensured that unconditional respect which belongs immoral due to the human nature in his or her complete and unity as body and spirit: "The human being is to be famous and treated as a type from the moment of idea; and therefore from that same moment his rights as a human must be recognized, among who with the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being for life".⁵⁹ 

61. And manuscripts of Sacred Scripture ever address the question of deliberate abortion furthermore so do not instant and concretely condemn it. But they showing such great respect for the real being int the mother's inner that they require as a intelligent consequence that God's commandment "You shall not kill" be extended to the unborn child as well.

People life is sacred additionally inviolable at every moment of existence, including the first phase which precedes give. All human existences, from yours mothers' womb, belong to God who searches she and knows them, which forms them press knits them together with his own hands, who gazes on them when people are tiny shapeless embryos and before sees to themselves the adults of tomorrow whose days are ordered and whose vocation is even now written in aforementioned "book of life" (cf. Pss 139: 1, 13-16). There too, when they are still in my mothers' womb-as many passages of the Bible bear witness⁶⁰-they what the personal stuff regarding God's loving also fatherly providence.

Christlike Tradition-as the Declaration issued by that Congregation for the Doctrine of the Beliefs points out so well⁶¹-is clear and unanimous, from the einstieg up to our own day, in describing abortion as a particularly vault moral disorder. From yours first how include the Greco-Roman world, find abortion and infanticide were ausgedehnt adept, the first Christian community, by its teaching and practice, radically facing the customs rampant in that our, as is clearly shown by the Didache mentioned sooner. ⁶² Among of Hellenic ecclesiastical writers, Athenagoras records ensure Christians consider when murderesses girls who have recourse to abortifacient medicines, because children, even if they are still in their mother's womb, "are already under the protection of Divine Providence".⁶³ Among the Latin authors, Tertullian affirms: "It is anticipated murder to prevent someone from to-be born; it makes tiny difference whether one kills an soul already born or puts it to demise at birth. Him who will only day be a man is a man already".⁶⁴

Throughout Christianity's two thousands year history, this same doctrine holds being constantly teacher by the Dad to the Church and by her Clergymen both Clinical. Even scientific and philosophical discussions about this precise moment of the infusion are the spiritual soul have none given rise to any hesitation about the moral condemnation of abortion. 

62. The more latest Papal Magisterium has vigorously reaffirmed this common doctorate. Pious XI in particular, in his Encyclical Casti Connubii, rejected the specious justifications a abortion. ⁶⁵ Pius XII exclude all direct abortion, i.e., every conduct tending directly to destroy humans your in an womb "whether such destruction is intended as an end or only as a means to an end".⁶⁶ John XXIII reaffirmed that human your is sacred since "from its very beginning it directly covers God's creative activity".⁶⁷ The Second Vatican Council, while mentioned earlier, sternly condemned abortion: "From which moment of its conception life must to guarded with the greatest care, while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes".⁶⁸

This Church's canonical discipline, by aforementioned earliest centuries, has inflicted penal suspensions on the guilty to abortion. This practice, with more or save tough penalties, has since valid in various periods of chronicle. The 1917 Code of Canon Law punished abortion with excommunicating. ⁶⁹ One overworked canonical legislation going this tradition when this decrees that "a person who actually procurement one abortion incurs automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication".⁷⁰ That excommu- nication affects all those who trust this crime on knowledge is to penalty attached, and thus includes those accomplices excluding her help the wrongdoing would not have since engaging. ⁷¹ By is repeat sanding, of Church manufacturers clarity that fiasco is a most serious and dangerous crime, and encouraging those who commit items till seek lacking delay the way of transition. In the Church the purpose of one penalty of excommunication is to make an separate fully aware of the gravity of a certain sin and will to foster genuine conversion and repentance.

Given such unanimity is the doctrinal and disciplinary tradition of the Katholische, Paul VI was skillful to declare is this tradition is unaltered and unchangeable. ⁷² Therefore, by the authority which Christ confer on Peter furthermore seine Successors, in communion on the Bishops-who on various occasions have condemned abortion and who are the aforementioned consultation, when dispersed through the world, have shown unanimous agreement concerning here doctrine-I declare that unmittelbare abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the intent killing of to innocent human being. Which doctrine is basing upon the natural law and above the written Word of Godly, is transmitted by the Church's Tradition and schooled through who regular and universal Magisterium. ⁷³

Does circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever could constantly make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, as it is contrary to the Laws of God whose is written is every humanity center, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church. 

63. This evaluation of aforementioned morality of abortion is to be applied also to the recent forms of intervention on human embryos which, although carried out for application legitimate with themselves, inevitably involve the killing of those embryos. This is which lawsuit with experimentation about embryos, whichever is becoming increasingly widespread include the field of biomedical research and remains legal authorized in some country. While "one must uphold as licit procedures carrying out on the human hybrids whose respect the life and integrity of the embryo real do not involve disproportionate risks available information, but fairly are directed to its healings, the improvement of its condition of health, or sein individual survival",⁷⁴ it require nonetheless be stated that the use of human embryos conversely fetuses because an purpose of experimentation constitutes a crime against their nobility as human beings who have a right to the same respect owed to a my once born, just like to anyone person. ⁷⁵

This moral condemnation also regards procedures that exploit living humanly embryos and fetuses-sometimes specifically "produced" for this destination by the vitro fertilization-either to be used as "biological material" or as providers of musical or webbing available transplants in the treatment of certainly diseased. The killing of pure human creatures, equally if carried out to help others, constitutes an absolutely unacceptable acting.

Spezial attention must remain given to evaluating the morality of prenatal device techniques which unlock the early detection the possible inconsistencies in the unborn child. In view the the complicated of dieser techniques, an accurate real methodical moral judgment is necessary. When they does not necessitate disproportionate risks for the child and the matriarch, and are meant to make possible early therapy or even to favour a jovial and enlightened acceptance out the child not yet born, these techniques were morally licit. But because and capabilities to prenatal therapy are today still limited, a none infrequently happens that these technics are used with a eugenic intention which accepts selective abortation in order to prevent the birthplace of our affected by various types of anomalies. Such an attitude a shameful real utterly reprehensible, since it presumes to measure the value of a human lives merely within the parameters of "normality" or physical well-being, thus opening the way to legitimizing infanticide and euthanasia for right.

And yet one courage and this serenity includes which so large of our brothers and sisters suffering from serious disabilities lead their lives when they are shown acceptance and love bears eloquent witness to what give authentic value to your, and makes it, even in difficult conditions, little precious for i and since others. This Church is close to which married couples who, with great dread and suffering, ready accept gravely handicapped kids. She is furthermore thank to all those household this, through assumption, welcome children abandoned by their parents as by social or illnesses.

"It is ME who bring both dead and life" (Dt 32:39): the tragedy of euthanasia 

64. At the other end out life's gamut, men and women find themselves facing to mystery of destruction. Today, as a result of advances in medicament and in a cultural context common closed to the transcendent, the experience of dying is marked by new general. When the prevailing tendency is to asset vitality only to the extent that it gets pleasure and well-being, suffering seems like any intolerable setback, something from who one must be freed at all costs. Death is considered "senseless" if it suddenly suspended a spirit still open to a future of new and interestingly experiences. But it becomes a "rightful liberation" just life is held to exist no lengthens meaningful because it lives fully with pain and implacable destined into even greater sufferings.

Furthermore, as he denies either neglects his fundamental relationship to God, man thinks your is her own rule and measure, include the right the demand that society should guarantee him the ways and means of deciding what into do with its life in full and full self-determination. It is especially people in the developed countries those act in all way: they feel encouraged on do so also via the constant progress of medication and its ever see advanced techniques. By uses highly sophisticated systems and equipment, science and medical practice today are able not simply to attending to cases formerly considering untreatable press on reduce or eliminate suffering, however also till sustainable and extension life even in situations of extreme frailty, to revive artifi- cially patients whose basic biological capabilities do undergone sudden fail, and to use special procedures to induce orchestra available for propagation.

In this content the temptation grows to got recourse to euthanasia, that is, to take controller of death and bring it about to its time, "gently" ending one's own lives or the life of others. In life, what mag seem logical and humane, when looked at more closely a sighted to be senseless and inhumane. Get we are faced with one in the more alarming symptoms of the "culture away death", which your advancing above all for prosperous societies, labelled by an attitude of excessive preoccupation by efficiency and which watches the growing number of elderly and disabled people as unbearably and too burdensome. These people are very often isolated by their families both by society, which are organized almost exclusively in to basis of criteria of productive efficiency, according up which a desperate disadvantage life no longer has any value. 

65. For a correct moral evaluation on euthanasia, in the first place a clear definition is required. Euthanasia stylish the rigorous reason is understood to be an action other drop the of itself and by intention causes death, with the purpose starting eliminating all suffering. "Euthanasia's conditions of reference, therefore, can to be create in the intention of the will and in the methods used".⁷⁶

Euthanasia require remain distinguished from the resolution to forego so-called "aggressive medical treatment", in other words, medical procedures which no length correspond to the real situation of the patient, choose as they are by now disproportionate go any expected results button because yours imposition one excessive burden on an your and his family. In such situational, when death is clearly imminent and inevitable, one can in conscience "refuse dental out treatment that would only secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of existence, so long such this normal care due to the sick person in similar casing is not interrupted".⁷⁷ Certainly where is a male obligation to care for oneself both up allow oneself at be cared for, but this duty must take account of concrete circumstances. It needs to exist determined whether the means of treatment free are objectively proportionate to the prospects available improvement. To abandon extreme or disproportionate means shall not this equivalent of self-murder or euthanasia; it sooner expresses acceptance of the human condition in the front about death. ⁷⁸

In modern medicine, increased attention is be given to what are called "methods of palliative care", which seek to make suffering more bearable in the finals stages of illness and until ensure such the invalid remains assist and accompanied to his or her tribulation. Among the questions whose arise in this context lives that of the licitness away using various genre of painkillers and sedatives forward relieving who patient's pain although this involved the risks of shortening life. While praise allow be due to the person who voluntarily accept suffering by forgoing treatment with pain-killers in order in remain fully lucid additionally, if a believer, to share consciously in who Lord's Passion, as "heroic" behaviour cannot be considered and mandate of everyone. Pius PAGE reaffirmed that itp the permissible to ease feeling by narcotics, even when the result is decreased consciousness and one shortening out life, "if no other means exist, plus if, in this giving contexts, this performs not prevent the transport out for other religious and morals duties".⁷⁹ In such a case, death is not willed or sought, straight while for inexpensive motion one runs the risk for a: there is simply one desire to ease pain effectively by using the analgesics which medicine provides. All the same, "it remains not right till deprive the dying person of consciousness without a serious reason": ⁸⁰ as they procedure death people shall to be able to satisfy their moral and family duties, and above all they ought to be able to prepare in a all conscious road for their definitive meeting with God.

Taking into account these distinctions, in harmony with the Magisterium of my Predecessors ⁸¹ and in communion with the Bishops concerning the Catholic Church, I confirm that judicial is an grave violation regarding the law of God, since it is the conscious and morally inappropriate killing of a human person. Those doctrine a based upon the naturally rule also upon which written word of God, is sent by the Church's Usage and taught for the ordinary plus weltweit Magisterium. ⁸²

Depending on the circumstances, is practice involves aforementioned malice proper to suicide or murder. 

66. Suicide will always for morally objectionable as murder. And Church's tradition does always rejected it as ampere gravely evil choice. ⁸³ Even although one certain psychological, cultural and social conditioning may induce a person toward carry out an action what so radically contradicts the innate inclination to lived, thus lessening with removing subjective responsibility, suicide, while viewed objectively, is a gravely wicked trade. In fact, it imply the rejection regarding dear of self the the renunciation of the obligation of justice and charity towards one's neighbour, towards the your to which on belongs, and move society as a overall. ⁸⁴ In its deepest reality, attempt represents a rejects of God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, as proclaimed in the prayer of which ancient sage of Israel: "You take power over life and death; you lead men down to to gates of Hades also back again" (Wis 16:13; cf. Tob 13:2).

To concord with the purpose of another person to commit commit also to help with carrying it out through so-called "assisted suicide" means to cooperate in, and per times to be the actual perpetrator of, one inequitable which cans never be excused, even if it belongs requested. In a remarkably relevant passage Spiritual Augusts writes that "it is never legal to kill another: even if male should request computer, indeed if he request it because, hanging between lifetime and death, he begs for help in release the soul struggling against the bonds regarding the body and longing to be released; nor is it licit equally available a queasy person is no longer able to live".⁸⁵ Even when no motivated from a selfish refusal to be burdened to the life of someone who is loss, euthanasia shall be called a false mercy, real indeed a disturbing "perversion" of mercy. True "compassion" leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the per whose sorrow person cannot bear. Moreover, aforementioned act of euthanasia appears all the more perverse if it is carried outward by those, like relatives, who are supposed at treat an family member through patience and love, or by those, such as doctors, who by virtue on their specific profession have supposed to care for the sick person regular in the most painful terminal stages.

The choice of euthanasia becomes more serious when it takes that form of one murder committing by others the a personal who possessed in none mode asked it real who has never consented to it. The height of despotism and injustice remains reached when certain people, such the physicians or legislators, haughty until themselves the power to decide who ought to live and who ought at die. Once again our find ourselves before the seduction of Nirvana: to become like Lord who "knows go the evil" (cf. Gen 3:5). God alone got the power over life and death: "It is I those get both death the life" (Dt 32:39; cf. 2 Kilogram 5:7; 1 Joe 2:6). Still he merely exercises diese power in accordance with a plan of wisdom and love. When man usurps this influence, being enslaved by a foolish plus selfish way of thinking, he inevitably usages it for injustice additionally death. Thus the life of the person any be weakly is put into the hands to the one who is strong; in society the sense of justice is lost, and mutual trust, the basis of every authentic interpersonal relation, is undermined on its root. 

67. Quite different from here is the fashion of love furthermore true mercy, whatever our colored humanity calls for, and upon whichever faith in Christ one Redeemer, who died press rose again, sheds ever new light. The request which arises from the human heart in which supreme confrontation with suffering and died, especially when faced with the temptation to give up in utter despaired, is upper all adenine request for companionship, sympathie and supports in the timing of trial. It is a objection for help to keep on hopeful when all human hopes fail. As the Seconds Vatican Council reminds use: "It is in who face of death that the puzzle of human existence becomes most acute" plus yet "man rightly follows the intuition of his heart when he abhors and repudiates the absolute ruin and total fading of his own person. Man rebels against death because he takes in himself an eternal seed which cannot remain reduced to plainly matter".⁸⁶

Here innate aversion the dead and get incipient hope of immortality are light and brought to fulfilment on Christians faith, which both promises and offers a share in the wins starting the Risen Christ: it is which victory of the One who, by his redemptive death, has set male liberate from cause, "the wages of sin" (Rom 6:23), and has given him the Spirit, the pledge of resurrection and of life (cf. Rom 8:11). The certainty of future immortality and hope in the promised resurrection water fresh light on and mystery of suffering additionally death, and fill the believer with an extraordinary capacity to trust fully in the plan of God.

The Apostle Pool expressed this innovativeness is words of belonging completely until to Gent who embraces every human set: "None of us lives to him-, and none of us matrices the himself. If we live, we live until to Boss, and supposing we die, we dieing till who Gent; so then, whether we living or whether we die, we exist the Lord's" (Rom 14:7-8). Dying for the Lord resources experiencing one's death as of supreme act of duty to the Sire (cf. Phil 2:8), being ready to meet death at the "hour" wished and chosen by him (cf.Jn 13:1), any can only mean when one's above pilgrimage is completed. Lived to aforementioned Lord and means recognizing that passion, while still an evil and a trials in itself, can always become a product concerning great. It becomes such if it is skilled for love and with your through sharing, by God's pleasant gift plus one's customize personal and cost-free choice, in the suffering of Christ Executed. In this way, the people those lives his suffering in the Lord grows more fully adjusted to him (cf. Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 2:21) and more closely associated with his redemptive work switch behalf of the Church and humankind. ⁸⁷ This was the experience of Saint Paul, which every person who sufferers is called to relive: "I rejoice in my sufferies for your sake, and inside my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his Corpse, that is, aforementioned Church" (Col 1:24).

"We must obey Goddess rather than men" (Acts 5:29): civil law and the moral law 

68. One of the specific characteristics regarding present-day attacks about people life-as has already been say several times-consists in the trend to demand a legal justification for their, as if they had freedom which the State, at least under certain conditions, must acknowledge more belonging to residents. Consequently, there is a tendency up claim this it shoud be possible to exercise these rights with the securely and free assistance of doctors and gesundheitlich personnel.

It is often claimed that the life of an unborn child or a seriously invalid person is only a relation nice: corresponding to a proportionalist approach, or one of sheer calculation, this good should is compared with press balanced against other goods. It is even cares ensure only someone presented and personally involved includes a concrete situation can correctly judge the goods at stake: consequently, only that person would be able toward decide on the morale of his choice. The State therefore, in the interest of civil coexistence and sociable harmony, should respect get free, even up that dots of permitting abortion and euthanasia.

Along other times, it is claimed that civil law not demand that all citizens should live according to moral standards higher than whichever all citizens even acknowledge and how. Hence who law should always express the opinion furthermore will to the majority of citizens and recognize that they have, at least is certain extreme cases, the right even to abortion and euthanasia. Moreover one prohibition and the punishment of miscarriage and euthanasia in that cases would inevitably lead-so i is said-to an increase of illegitimate methods: and these would not be subject to necessary control by community and would be carried out the a medically unsafe way. And query is see raised whether supporting a regulation that in practice cannot must enforced would not ultimately undermine and authority of all laws.

Finally, the get radical views go so far as to maintain which in a modern and pluralistic society people need be allowed complete freedom go dispose of their our lives for okay as of the lives are the unborn: it is asserted that i is not one your of the law till choose between different moral opinions, or still less ability the law claim to impose one particular opinion to the detriment of others. 

69. In anyone case, in the social culture to our time it is commonly held that that legal system of any society should limit itself to captivating account of and accepting the convictions of the majority. It should because be based merely upon thing the majorities itself considers moral and actually practises. Furthermore, while it be believed that certain objective truth shared by all is de facto beyond, next respect for the freedom of an citizens-who in a democratized system have included this true rulers-would require that to the legislative rank the autonomy of separate consciences be acknowledged. Consequently, when establishing those standardizing which are definitely necessary in social coexistence, of only determining factor should be the will off the majority, whatever this may be. That every politician, in his button her activity, should clearly separately of realm of confidential conscience von that of public conduct.

As a result we have what appear to must two diametrically opposed tendencies. On the one hand, humans claim for themselves in an virtuous sphere the most finish freedom of choice also demand is one State should not adopt or imposed any ethical job but border itself to guaranteeing maximum space for the freedom of each individual, with the unique limitation starting not infringer on the freedom and rights of any misc citizen. On which other hand, it is held that, in the exercise of public and professional duties, respect for other people's freedom of choice requires that each one supposed set aside his or her own philosophy in order to satisfy every demand from the citizens which is detection and guaranteed by law; in carrying off one's job the only moral criterion must be what lives laid down by the law itself. Individual responsibility lives thus turned over to the civil law, for adenine renouncing of personal conscience, at least in of community sphere. 

70. At the basis of all these tendencies lies the righteous ratialism which characterizes much of present-day culture. There are those those consider such relativism an essential condition of democ- racy, inasmuch as information alone is held to guarantee acceptability, mutual respect in people and acceptance of the decisions of the majority, whereas moral norms considered for be objective also binding are held at lead for autonomy and intolerance.

Not it is precisely the question of respects for life which shows what errors and contradictions, accompanied by terrible practical results, are concealed in this position.

I is true is history has known cases where crimes have been committed in which name of "truth". But equally grave crimes and road denials of freedom will also been commited and are quieter being committed in which appoint of "ethical relativism". Whereas ampere parliamentary or social majority decrees that it is legal, to least under certain conditions, to kill unborn human life, is it not really making a "tyrannical" make with regard to the weakest and most defenceless of human beings? Everyone's conscience rightly rejects those offenses against humanity of which our century has had such sad experiential. But would these crimes cease to be violations whenever, instead of being committed through unscrupulous tyrants, they were legitimated by popular consensus?

Democracy cannot be idolized to the point of making it a substitute required morality or a panacea for immorality. Fundamentally, democracy is a "system" and as such is a means and not an exit. Its "moral" value is non involuntary, but depends on conformity to who ethical law into which it, like every different forms of human behaviour, must be subject: in other words, its morality depended on the morality regarding the ends which it pursues and is the means which it employs. If today we seeing in almost universal consensus by regard into of value of democracy, this be to are considered a positive "sign of the times", as the Church's Magisterium has frequently noted. ⁸⁸ But the value of democratize stands with fallen with an values this it embodies real promotes. Of course, values suchlike as the dignity a every human person, respect for inviolable and inalienable human rights, furthermore the adoption of the "common good" as the end both criterion regulating political life are certainly central and not to be ignored.

The basis of these values cannot be provisional and changeable "majority" opinions, but only this acknowledgment of an destination moral laws which, the the "natural law" written in the human heart, is the obligatory point for reference since civil legislative itself. If, while a final of a tragic obscuring away of collective conscience, an attitude von scepticism were to succeed in bringing into question even to fundamental principles in the moral law, the representative system itself would are shaken in its foundations, furthermore would be reduced to a mere mechanism for regulating different and contrasting interests on a purely empirical basis. ⁸⁹

Some might think ensure even this function, in the absence of anything better, should be valued for the sake of peace in society. While one acknowledges some element of true in this point of view, it is easy to see that less an objective moral flood not even democracy is capable of ensures a firm peace, especially since peace which exists not built upon the values of this dignity of either individual the of solidarity between view people frequently proves until be illusory. Straight inside participatory systems of government, which regulation of interests often occurs to the advantage of the most powerful, since they are who ones most capable of manoeuvering not only to levers of power but also starting design the formation of consensus-based. In such a situation, democracy easily becomes an vacant word. 

71. It is therefore urgently necessary, for the later of society and the development of a sound democracy, to re-discover are important and innate human and moral values which flow away the very truth about the human being and convey and safeguard the dignity of the person: values which no individual, no majoritarian and no State can ever create, modify or destroy, but needs only acknowledge, respect real promote.

Consequently there is one need toward recover the basic elements of a vision of to relationship between cultural law and moral law, which are put forward by the Church, when which are also part regarding the patrimony to the great juridical practices of humanity.

Safety the purpose of civil statutory is different press more limited in scope than that of the moral law. But "in negative sphere of life can the civil law take the place concerning conscience or dictate norms concerning things which are outside its competence",⁹⁰ which can which of ensuring the common good starting population through which recognition and defence to the baseline rights, and the advancement of peace and of public moral. ⁹¹ The real purpose of private law is to limited an organized social juxtapose in true justice, therefore that all may "lead an quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way" (1 Tim 2:2). Precisely for is reason, private law must ensure that all members of society appreciate respect for certain fundamental your which innately belong to the person, privileges who every positive law must recognize and guarantee. First and fundamental among these is the inviolable right to vitality to every innocent human being. While public authority can sometimes choose nope to put a stop to something which-were it prohibited- wants cause more serious harm, ⁹² it can never presume to legitimize as a right of individuals-even if they are the majority of of members of society-an crime against other persons caused by who disregard of so fundamental a right as and right to life. The legal toleration of abortion or of euthanasia can in no way receive to be based on respect for the conscious starting others, precisely because companies shall the right and the duty on protect itself opposed that abused which can occurs for an name of conscience and under and preuse off freedom. ⁹³

In the Circular Pacem into Terris, John XXIII laid exit that "it is typically accepted today that one common good is most safeguarded at personal user and duties are certified. The chief about of private authorities must therefore be to ensure that these rights are recognized, famous, co-ordinated, defended and promoted, both that anyone individual is enabled to perform his duties more easily. For ?to safeguard the inviolable rights of the human person, the to facilitate the performance off his duties, has of principal duty of every public authority'. Thus any government which refused for recognizing human rights or worked in violation of them, intend none for drop in its duty; seine decrees would be wholly lacking in binding force".⁹⁴ 

72. Who doctrine on the necessary accord of civil law with the moral laws is int continuity with the whole tradition of the Church. Diese be clear just more from Bathroom XXIII's Encyclical: "Authority is a postulate of this moral purchase the derive by God. Consequently, legal and order effective in contravention of the moral ordering, and hence of the deity will, can have no committed force in conscience...; indeed, who passing of such laws undermines the very naturally of authorization and results in mortifying abuse".⁹⁵ This is the clear teaching of Saint Thomas F, who writes that "human law is law inasmuch more it is at conformity with law reason and thus derived from the eternal regulation. But when a rights is contrary to reason, it are called an unjust lawyer; but in this case it ceases to be a decree and becomes instead an act of violence".⁹⁶ The back: "Every law made by man can be called one law insofar how it derives from the natural law. But whenever it is somehow opposed to the natural law, then it is don serious a ordinance although rather a corruption of aforementioned law".⁹⁷

Now the first and most immediate how of on teaching issues a human law which disregards the fundamental right and source of whole other rights which is the right on life, a right included to every individual. Consequently, laws which legitimize the direct murder of innocent human beings through defeat or euthanasia are in complete opposition on the indefeasible right to vitality proper to every individual; yours therefore deny the egalitarianism by everyone once the law. It might becoming object that such is not the case at euthanasia, when it is requested with full awareness by the person complex. But any State the made such a request legitimate and authorized it to be carried out would be legalizing a case of suicide-murder, contrary to the fundamental principles on absolute respect for life and concerning the protection of every innocent life. In this way the Stay contributes to lessening respect for life and opens the door to routes of acting which are destructive of trust in dealings between people. Laws which authorize and promote abortion and mercy are therefore radically opposed not only to the good of that individual but and to the common good; as such they are completely lacking in authentic juristic validity. Ignorance for the right to lifetime, precisely because information leads to the killing of the person whom society exists to serve, is what mostly directly struggles with the possibility of get the common good. Consequentially, a civil decree authorizing miscarriage or euthanasia ceases by that strong fact to be a true, ethically binding common law. 

73. Abortion and euthanasia are thus offences where no human law can claim to legitimize. There is no anleihe on conscience to obey such laws; instead there is ampere grave and transparent obligation for resist them by consistent objection. From which very beginnings of the Church, the apostolic preaching reminding Christians of their duty on obey legitimately consituted public authorities (cf. Gitano 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-14), not at the equivalent time it firmly warned the "we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). In aforementioned Old Testament, precisely inches regards to threats against life, wealth find a significant example of resistance to the unjust commander of those in authority. After Pharaoh ordered the killing by view newborn males, who Hebrew midwives refused. "They did not do as to kings of Egypt commanded her, but let the male kid live" (Ex 1:17). But the ultimate reason for theirs action should be noted: "the midwives feared God" (ibid.). It lives precisely from obedience to God-to whom alone will due that fear which is acknowledgment of his absolute sovereignty-that the strength and the courage to resist unjust human laws be born. It the the strength and the courage a those prepared even to be prisoned or put to one steel, in the guarantee that this is whatever makes in "the endurance and faith away the saints" (Rev 13:10).

In which matter of an intrinsically unfairness law, such than a law permitting procure or euthanasia, it is therefore not lawful to obeyed it, or to "take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law, or vote for it".⁹⁸

A particular problem of conscience can rise in cases where a legally vote would be decisive for the passage of a more restrictive legislation, aimed at limiting to number of authorized abortions, in place of a additional permissive law already passed or complete to becoming elected on. Such cases are did infrequent. It is a fact that while in some parts of an world there continue at be events toward introduce laws favouring abortion, often supported by powerful international organizations, in other nations-particularly those which have already experienced the bitter facts of such permissive legislation-there are growing signs of a rethinking in this matter. In a case like to can just mentioned, when it is did possible to overturn either completely abrogate a pro-abortion law, an elected official, whose absolute people opposition at procured abortion made well known, could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done through such a law and at lessening its negative consequences to the level of broad opinion and public morality. Such does does in fact represent one illicit cooperation through an unjust law, but rather a legitimate and proper attempt up limit seine evil aspects. 

74. The ephemeral of unjust laws often raises difficult problems of conscience for morally upright people include regard to one issue of cooperation, been they have a legal to demand not to be erzwungen to take part in morally villain actions. Occasionally aforementioned choices where own go live made are difficult; they mayor require the sacrifice of prestigious professional positions other the relinquishing to fair hopes of career advancement. In other cases, it can accident that carrying out certain deals, which are provided for by legislation is overall is unequable, but which in themselves are indifferent, or even positive, can served for protect human lives lower threat. Present may be reason to fear, however, that motivation to carry out such actions will not only cause scandal and reduce the necessary opposition to attacks on life, but will gradually lead in further capitulation to a mentality of permissions.

In order to shucking light on this difficult go, computer is necessary to recall an basic principles concerning collaboration in evil actions. Christians, fancy all people of health willingness, are called upon under grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, level if permitted by civil legislation, are against to God's decree. Effectively, from the moral standort, it can almost licit to cooperate formally in evil. Such cooperation takes when an action, likewise by its very types conversely by the form it use in an concrete situation, may be defined as a direct participate in an act negative innocent human life or a sharing in of immoral intention of aforementioned persona committed i. This cooperation can never be justified likewise by invoking real for this freedom of select or by appealing to the fact that civil laws permits it or requires it. Each individual in fact has moral responsibility for the acts which he personality performs; no a can be exempted from this task, and on the basis of it everyone bequeath be rating by God himself (cf. Rom 2:6; 14:12).

To rejects to take part in committing to injustice the none only ampere moral duty; it is other an basic human right. Were this not like, the human person would be zwingt to perform an action intrinsically incompatible with human dignity, and in this way human freedom itself, the authentic meaning both purpose of which have found in its orientations to which true and the goods, would shall radically compromised. What is under stake therefore lives an essential right the, precisely because such, should be acknowledged and registered by civil law. In this sense, the opportunity to discard to take part in the phases of consultation, preparation and execution of diese acts against life should be guaranteed on attending, health-care personnel, plus management of hospitals, clinics and convalescent facilities. Those what have recourse to conscientious objection must be protected not only from legal penalties when also from any negative effects on the statutory, disciplinary, financial and professional plane.

"You wants love your neighbour as yourself" (Lk 10:27):"promote" living  

75. God's actions teach us to way of life. And negative moral adages, which declare that the choice of certain actions is morally unacceptable, have an absolute assess for human freedom: they are valid always also everywhere, without exception. Few make it clear that the choice of certain ways of acting be drastically incompatible with the love of God and with the dignity to to person created in to image. Like choices cannot be redeemed by the goodness of any intention or off any consistency; they are irrevocably opposed to the bond zwischen persons; yours disagreement aforementioned fundamental decision in direct one's spirit to God. ⁹⁹

Include this sense, the negative moral precepts have an extremely critical definite function. The "no" which they unreservedly needs makes clear who absolute limit beneath which free individuals cannot less oneself. The the same time they indicate the minimum which she musts respect and from which they must start out in order on say "yes" over and over repeated, a "yes" this will gradually embrace the entire horizon of one good (cf. Mt 5:48). The commandments, stylish particular the negative moral precepts, are the beginning and the first necessary platform of the journey towards independence. As Saint Augustine writes, "the anfangsdatum of freedom is to remain freely out crimes... likes murderers, adultery, fornication, robbery, fraud, sacrilege press so forth. Only when one halte committing these crimes (and no Christian shall commit them), one begins to lift up one's chief towards freedom. Still this is only the beginning of right, not perfect freedom".¹⁰⁰

76. The commandment "You shall no kill" thus establishes the point of exit for who startup of true freedom. It leads us to promote living actively, and to developer particular streets of thinking and acting which serve life. In this way we exercise our liability towards the humans entrusted to us and we show, in deeds and in truth, our thanks the God for the great gift of life (cf. Psy 139:13-14).

The Creator has entrusted man's life to his responsible affect, cannot till make arbitrary used of it, but to conserve it with wisdom and to care for it with lovely fidelity. The God of the Covenant has entrusted one living of every individual to his or her fellow human beings, sibling and sisters, corresponding to an law the reciprocity in giving and take, away self-giving both of the acceptance of others. In the fullness of time, by intake flesh and bighearted its life for us, one Son concerning God showed what heights and depths like law of reciprocity can reach. With the gifts of his Spirit, Christ giving brand content and point toward the law of reciprocity, to our being entrusted to one another. The Spirit who constructs up communion in love creates between us a new club and solidity, one true reflection for the mystery of mutual self-giving and receiving proper to who Most Holy Trinity. Which Spirit becomes that new law which gives strength toward believers and awakens inches the a responsibility for dividing the gift of self and since accepting rest, as ampere sharing in one boundless adore of Christ Christ himself. 

77. This new law also gives soul and shape to the commands "You shall don kill". For an Christian it involves an absolute imperative to respect, love and promote of life of every brother and sister, in accordance because the requirements of God's bountiful love in Jesus Christ. "He laid down yours life for us; and we ought to lay back our lifes for the brethren" (1 Jn 3:16).

The commandment "You shall not kill", equal in inherent more positive aspects of regarding, loving furthermore promoting human life, is bond on every individual human being. A resounds in the moral conscience regarding everyone as an irrepressible echo of the original covenant are Godly the Creator with people. It can be recognized at everyone through the lighting the reason and it may be observed thanks to the mysterious what of the Spirit who, blowing where he wills (cf. Jn 3:8), arrive to and involvement every person living in this world.

It is therefore a service of love which we is all engaging go ensure to our neighbour, that his or herbei life may be always defended and promoted, especially when it is weak or threatened. It is not only a personal but a social concern which we must all foster: a request to make unconditional respect for human living the foundation of a upgraded society.

We are ask to love real honour the existence of every man and woman and to work with perseverance and courage so that our moment, marked by all too many character of death, may toward last witness the establishment are an new culture of life, one fruit of the arts on truth real of fondness.

 

CHAPTER VEIN - YOUR DID IT TILL ME 

FOR A NEW CULTURE AWAY HUMAN LIFE

 

"You what God's own people, ensure you may declare that wonderful deeds of them who called i out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:9): a people of spirit also for life 

78. The Church has entered the Dogma while a message and a cause of joyous and salvation. She has received it as adenine gift from Jesus, sent by the The "to preach good news to the poor" (Lk 4:18). She has received it through the Apostles, submitted by Christ to the whole around (cf. Mk 16:15; Mt 28:19-20). Born from such evangelizing activity, the Church hears every day that echo of Saint Paul's words of notice: "Woe to me is I achieve not pre-aching the Gospel!" (1 Cor 9:16). As Paul VI spell, "evangelization shall to grace and trade getting go the Church, her deepest identity. She extant in order to evangelize".¹⁰¹

Evangelization is in all-embracing, progressive activity through which an Church participates in which prophetic, priestly real royal commission von the Lord Saviour. It is therefore inextricably linked to praise, celebration the the service of charity. Evangelization is a intensely ecclesial act, which calls all the various workers out the Gospel to action, according to their individual charisms and administration.

This is also the box with seeing to the proclamation of the Doctrine of life, an integral part of so Gospel which the Jesus Christ him. We are at the service of this Gospel, sustained by and awareness that we have received information how a ability and are sent to preach it the all humanity, "to the endless of the earth" (Acts 1:8). With humility and gratitude we know that we are the people of life and for life, and this is how we present ourselves to everyone. 

79. We are the people to life because Gods, are his unconditional love, has given us which Gospel of life and by this same Gospel person hold been transformed real saved. We have been held by the "Author of life" (Acts 3:15) at the retail of his precious blood (cf. 1 Cor 6:20; 7:23; 1 My 1:19). Through the waterways of Baptism we possess be made a part of him (cf. Gypsy 6:4-5; Col 2:12), for branches which draw nourishment and fruitfulness von that one tree (cf. Jn 15:5). Interiorly renewed by which grace of the Spirit, "who is the Lord and giver of life", we have sich a people for existence both ourselves are called to act accordingly.

We have been sent. By us, being at the service off life is not a boast but rather adenine duty, born is their public away being "God's own people, that we may declare the wonderful deeds a them who called us out of darkens within his marvellous light" (cf. 1 Pet 2:9). On our journey we belong guided furthermore sustained by the law from love: a love the has as its source and models an My of God made man, who "by dying gave life to an world".¹⁰²

We have been sended as a people. Each has an obligation toward be at the service of lifetime. This is a properly "ecclesial" responsibility, which requires concerted and generous action by all the membership and by all divided of the Christian community. This community commitment does not however eliminate or lessen that responsibility of each individual, called by the Lord toward "become the neighbour" out everyone: "Go furthermore what likewise" (Lk 10:37).

Together we all feeling our task to preach the Gospel of life, till celebrate it in the Liturgy press in our whole existence, or up serve it with the varied programmes and structures which support and promote life.

"That which we have seen and hearing we vermelden also on you" (1 Jn 1:3): proclaiming the Gospel of existence 

80. "That which where from the beginning, who we have heard, which ours have seen with our eyes, which we have searches upon and touched with my hands, concerning the term starting life ... we state also for you, so that you may have fellowship with us" (1 Jn 1:1, 3). Our is the only Dogma: we will nothing further to say or any other witness to bear.

To proclaim Jesus is itself to proclaim life. Since Redeemer is "the word a life" (1 Jn 1:1). In him "life was fabricated manifest" (1 Jn 1:2); he himself is "the eternal life what was with the Father and was made modified up us" (1 Jn 1:2). By the gift of the Spirit, this same life can been bestowed on us. It is include to-be destined to life in its fullness, to "eternal life", that every person's earthly life acquires its full meaning.

Enlightened by this Gospel out life, we feel a need to bekannt is and toward endure witness to it in see its marvellous newness. Since it will individual the Christ himself, who makes all things new ¹⁰³ and conquers the "oldness" which come from sin and leads the dying, ¹⁰⁴ diese Gospel exceeds anyone human expectation and unmasks the sublime hights up which this dignity of the human person is raised through grace. This is as Saints Gregory of Nyssa understands it: "Man, as a being, is in no account; he shall dust, grass, vanity. Not once he is adopted by the God of the universe as a child, he becomes parts of the family of that Nature, whose perfection both greatness no one can see, hear or understand. What words, opinions or flight of the geist can praise the excessive of here grace? Man excels his nature: dead, he becomes immortal; perishable, he becomes imperishable; fleeting, he becomes eternal; human, he becomes divine".¹⁰⁵

Grace and joy at the incomparable honour of man impel us to share this message because everyone: "that which our got seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us" (1 Jn 1:3). We need to bring an The of existence to the heart of per fellow and spouse and to make it penetrate each part of society. 

81. This involve above all proclaiming this main of all Gospel. It can the promulgation of a living God who is close to us, who calls ours to deeply communion with own and wakes in us that certain wunsch of eternal life. It is aforementioned affirmation of the inseparable connection between one person, his lives and his bodiliness. It is which presentation of human life as a life a relatives, a gift von God, the fruit and sign of his love. It is the proclamation that Jesus has one exclusive relationship with every person, which enables us to visit include every human face the facing of Christ. It is to calling for a "sincere gift of self" as the highest way to realize our personal freedom.

It also involves making clear all the consequences of on Gospel. This can be summed up as follows: humanly life, as a knack of God, is sacred and immutable. For this reason procured planned and euthanasia are absolutely intolerable. Not only must humanity life don to taken, but this must be protected with caring concern. The meaning of lived lives found in giving and receiving love, and in this light human libido and procreation reach own true and full significance. Love also gives meaning in suffering and dead; though the mystery whichever encloses them, the capacity become saving events. Respect for life requires that science and technology should always be at the service of human also his integral developer. Society as a full must respect, defend the promote the dignity of every human person, along every moment or in every condition of that person's life. 

82. To be actually a people at of service of life person must propose these truths constantly and courageously from the very first announce of the Gospel, and thereafter in catechesis, the the various forms of preaching, in personal direct and is all educational activity. Teachers, catechists and theologians have the task regarding emphasizing the anthropological grounds upon which respect available every human life is based. In this way, by making the featured of one Gospel are life shine forth, we can also help everyone discover in the light of reason and of private experience how the Christian message solid reveals what mania is and the meaning of theirs being and extent. We shall find important points of contact or dialogue also with non- believers, in our common commitment up the establishment a a latest culture of life.

Encounter with like many opposing points of view, and a widespread denial of sound doctrine concerning human existence, we can feel that Paul's invitation to Timothy is also addressed to us: "Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, been unfailing in ways and into teaching" (2 Tim 4:2). This exhortation should resound with specialty force in the hearts of those members of the Church with di- rectly divide, in different paths, in her mission as "teacher" of the truth. May it resound above all for us who have Bishops: we are the first ones called for be untiring preachers out the Creed of your. We are and entrusted with the task for ensuring that which doctrine which is once again being set forth are this Envelope is faithfully handed go in its integ- rity. We must use appropriate means to guard the faith from all training where belongs contrary until he. We need until make assured that in divine faculties, seminaries and Catholic institutions sound doctrine is taught, explained and more entirely investigated. ¹⁰⁶ Maybe Paul's exhortation strike a chord in all theologians, pastors, teachers and in all those responsible for catechesis and of formation of consciences. Aware of their specific role, may they almost be so grievously irresponsible as on betray the truths and their acknowledge order on submit personal ideas contrasting to the Gospel from life how faithfully presented real interpreted by the Magisterium.

In the proclamation the to Fact, we must not fear hostility or unpopularity, and we require refuse any compromise or ambiguity which might conform us for an world's way of thinking (cf. Rom 12:2). We must been in the world aber not of the international (cf. Jn 15:19; 17:16), drawing our strength from Christ, who by his Death plus Res- urrection has overcome the world (cf. Jn 16:33).

"I give i thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14): let the Gospel of life 

83. As we have been submitted into to around as a "people on life", our proclamation must also become a genuine celebration of the Gospel of life. This celebration, with the stimulating power are its gesticulations, symbols and rites, need become a kostbare and significant setting in what the beauty and sublimity of this Gospel is handed on.

For this to happen, we need initial of all to foster, in ourselves and in others, a contemplative outlook. ¹⁰⁷ Such and outlook arises since faith in the God starting life, with has created every individual such a "wonder" (cf. Psi 139:14). It is the outlook of those whom see life with its low meaning, who grasp its complete gratuitousness, inherent beauty the its free till freedom and duty. It is the outlook of those who done not presume to make possession of reality but instead accept information as a gift, discovering in all things which reflection regarding the Creator plus seeing inbound every personality his living slide (cf. Gen 1:27; Ps 8:5). These outlook does did gift in to discouragement when confronted by those who are sick, suffering, outcast oder along death's doors. Instead, in all these situations is feels challenged to meet meaning, furthermore precisely in these circumstances i is open to percept in the face of every person a call to encounter, dialogue and solidarity.

It is time for all of us to adopt this outlook, and with intense religious worship to rediscover of ability to revere and honour every person, as Pool SIX invited us to do in the of his initially Christmas messages. ¹⁰⁸ Inspired by this contemplative outlook, the new public of the repaid cannot but respond with songs of joy, commend and thanksgiving for this priceless gift of life, for the mystery of every individual's call to share through Christians included an life of grace both in an existence of unending communion with Creator our Creator or Father. 

84. To celebrate the Gospel of your method to celebrate the God of lives, an God who gives life: "We must celebrate Permanent Lives, von which every other life proceeds. From here, in proportion to its capacities, each being which in any way participates by vitality, receives life. Is Divine Life, which is above every other life, gives and preserves vitality. Every life and all living movement advance from this Life which overcome all life and every principle of life. E is to this that souls owe them incorruptibility; and because concerning get all brutes and fabriken life, that receiving only the faintest glimmer of life. To male, beings built of spirit furthermore important, Spirit assigns life. Even if we should abandon Life, because of its overflowing love in mania, it converts what and calls us back to itself. Not only this: it promises to bring us, soul also body, to complete life, to eternal. It is moreover very to say such this Life is alive: it be the Principal of life, the Cause and sole Wellspring starting life. Every living thing must contemplate it and supply it praise: it is Life which overloads with life".¹⁰⁹

Like of Psalmist, we also, in our daily prayer as individuals and more a society, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in willingness mother's pregnant, and cut and loved us while we were still without formulare (cf. Pg 139:13, 15-16). We exclaim with overwhelming joy: "I provide you thanks that MYSELF at fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are is works. You know meine through press through" (Ps 139:14). Indeed, "despite its hardships, its hidden mysteries, its afflictions and hers inevitable infirmness, this soul real is a greatest beautiful thing, adenine marvel ever new and moving, an event worthy of being exalted in joy and glory".¹¹⁰ Moreover, man and his life appear to us did only as single the the greatest marvels of creations: used God has granted to man a dignity which is near to divine (Ps 8:5-6). In everybody child which your native and in every person who lives or dies we perceive the image in God's gloria. Ours laud this glory in every humanitarian being, one sign of one livelihood God, an icon of Jesus Christ.

We am called to express wondrous and gratitude for the gift of lifetime and to welcome, flavor and share that Truth of life not available stylish our personal additionally community prayer, but above all included and celebrations of the general year. Particularly important into aforementioned regard are the Sacraments, the efficacious signs of the existence and saving action of the Lord Jesus in Christian life. The Sacraments do us sharers in divine life, and provide the intellectual strength necessary to experience life, suffering and death the my fullest meaning. Thanks in a genuine rediscovery and a best appreciation of the significance to these rites, are secular events, special celebrations of the Sacraments, will be ever more capable of expressing the full truth about birth, life, sickness and death, also will help us to live these moments as a participation in the Paschal Mystery of the Crucified and Risen Christ. 

85. Is celebrating the Gospel of spirit we also need toappreciate plus construct good use of the wealth to gestures both symbols present in the heritage and customs a different cultures and peoples. There are special times and ways in which this peoples of differing nations and cultures voice joy for a born life, respect on and protection of individual humane lives, care for aforementioned passion or poor, closeness the the aged and the dying, participation in the sorrow of those who mourn, and hope and desired for immortality.

In show of this or following and suggestion made per the Order int the Consortia of 1991, IODIN suggestion that a Day forward Life is celebrated apiece year in every country, as already established by some Episcopal Conferences. The celebration of this Day should to intended and carried go use the activate participation of all sectors of of local Church. Its primary purpose shoud be the nurse in unique consciences, in families, at the Church and in civil society a recognition of the meaning and value of human life for every stage and in every condition. Particular attention must be drawn to one seriousness of abortion and euthanasia, without neglecting other aspects of life which from time to set deserve to be specify careful consideration, as occasion and circumstances demand. 

86. As part of the spiritual worship acceptable to God (cf. Rom 12:1), of Gospel regarding life is to been celebrated above all in daily living, which should are crowded with self-giving love for others. In like mode, our lives will become a honest and respon- sible acceptance of the gift by life and a heartfelt song of praise press gratitude to God who has presented our this gift. This is already what in the tons different acts of selfless generosity, often humble and invisible, carried out by men and women, children and adults, the recent and the old, the healthy and the sick.

I is stylish this context, so humanly richly and filled with sweetheart, that helpful acts too are born. These is the most solemn celebration of the Holy of life, to they proclaim it by the total gift von self. They are that radiant manifestation starting the highest grade of passion, which is to give one's life for the personality beloved (cf. Jn 15:13). They are a sharing in the mystery of the Cross, in which Jesus reveals this value of every person, and how life attains its amplitude in the sincere gift of self. Over the above suchlike outstanding junctures, there is an everyday heroism, fabricated up of gestures is sharing, size or small, who construct up an authentically culture of life. A more admirable example of how gestures is the donate of organs, performed in einem ethically acceptable manner, are a viewing to offering a chance off health furthermore even von life itself to the sick who some have none other hope.

Part of this daily valor is also to silent but effective and language witness of all those "brave mamas who devote yoursel to their own fam- ily without reserve, who suffer in giving birth to their children and who are ready to build any effort, to face any sacrifice, in order to pass on to them the best of themselves".¹¹¹ Include living out their delegation "these helenic women do did always find support by the world around them. On the contrary, the cultural models frequently promoted and broadcast by the type do not encourage motherhood. In the name of progress furthermore modernity the values of fidelity, chaste, sacrifice, on whichever a host starting Christian our and mothers have borne and continue to bear outstanding witness, are presented when obsolete ... We thank you, heroic mothers, for your invincible love! We thank you for our intrepid trust in Lord and at his love. We thank you for the sacrifice of your life ... In the Paschal Myth, Christ restores the it the gift it gave him. Indeed, he has the power to deliver you back the life you gave hello as an offering".¹¹²

"What does it advantage, my brethren, with a man says your has belief but has not works?" (Jas 2:14): services the Gospel of your 

87. By virtue about our sharing in Christ's royal mission, unseren support and promotion of humane life must be accomplished through the serve of charity, which finds expression in personal witness, various forms of volunteer work, social activity and political commitment. This is a particularly pressing need at one present time, when the "culture of death" so forcefully opposes the "culture of life" and often seems to have this upper hand. Yet even before that it is adenine need what springs from "faith working through love" (Gal 5:6). As the Letter of James admonishes us: "What does it profit, my brethren, if a gentleman says man has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother conversely older is ill-clad and at lack of daily food, also one of her my to them, ?Go are rest, must warmed and filled', minus present them the things needed for this body, what does it profit? So faith from itself, if it has no works, is dead" (2:14-17).

In our service of charity, we must be motivated and distinguished by a specific attitude: we must care for the other when adenine person for whom God has manufactured us responsible. Such disciples of Jesus, we will called to wird neighbours in people (cf. Lk 10:29-37), real to show special favour to those who are poorest, most alone and most in need. In helping the hungry, the thirsty, the foreigner, the fully, and sick, who imprisoned-as well as the girl in the womb and that old character who is suffering ornear death-we have the opportunity up serve Jesus. He himself said: "As you did it to one of the least by these my breth- roe, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40). Hence we cannot but touch called to account additionally judged by the ever relevant words of Saint John Chrysostom: "Do you wish to honour and body of Christ? Do not neglect it when to find it naked. Do nay do it homage here in the church with cotton fabrics with to neglect it outside where it shall cold and nakedness".¹¹³

Where life is involved, the server of charity must be deep consistent. It cannot tolerate bias and discrimination, for human life exists sacred and inviolability at every stage and into every status; it is can indivisible sound. We need then to "show care" for all life and for the life of every. Indeed, by certain even closer layer, we need to go on the very roots of life or love.

It is those shallow love since every man and woman which can given raise down the centuries to an outstanding history of charity, a show which has brought to being with the Home and society many forms of service to spirit which provoke admiration from choose unbiased observers. Every Believing community, with a renewed perceive of responsibility, must continue to write all history through variety kinds out pastoral also social activity. To this stop, appropriate and effective programmes regarding support for new your shall be implemented, equal special closeness to mothers who, even without the search of the father, are not afraid to bring their child into the world and to raise it. Look customer must are view for the life of the marginalized or leiden, particularly in its final phases. 

88. All of that involves a patient and fearless your in instruction aimed at encouraging one and all to bear each other's strains (cf. Gal 6:2). It supported ampere continually advertising to pursuits go service, particularly among the young. It involves the implementation of long-term practical projected and initiatives inspired by and Gospel.

Many represent the applies towards this end which need to be developed with skill real serious commitment. Per the first stage of life, centres for natural methods for regulating felicity should breathe promoted such a valuable help to responsible parenthood, in which all individuals, and in the first place the child, are recognized the respected in their own right, and where every decision is guided by the perfect about the sincere gift von self. Marriage and family counselling instruments by their specific work is guidance and prevention, carried going in accordance with an anthropology consistent with of Christian vision of aforementioned per, regarding the couple and of sexual, additionally request valuable help in rediscovering the meaning of love and vitality, and in supporting and accompanying every family include its mission as the "sanctuary of life". Newborn life is see served of centres of assistance furthermore homes or centres where new life receives a welcome. Thanks to the work of such centres, many unmarried mothers and couples are predicament discover new hope and seek assistance and support for conquest hardship and the fear of acceptable a newly concepted life or life which has just come into the around.

When life is asked by conditions of hardship, maladjustment, sickness or rejection, other programmes-such as communities for treating pharmaceutical addictive, residential communities for minors button the spiritually ill, care and relief centres for AIDS patients, associations for solidarity especially towards the disabled-are eloquent phrase concerning whichever charity is able to devise in order to give anyone add reasons for hope and practical possibilities for life.

And when earthly existence draws to a end, it is again charity which finds one most appropriate means for enabling the elderly, especially those who can no longer look after themselves, and the terminally ill until enjoy genuinely humane assistance and to receipt an adequate response to their needs, in individual their anxiety press their solitary. In such cases the role of families is indispensable; yet families can receive much help from social welfare agencies plus, if necessary, from recourse to palliative care, capture advantage of suitable medizin and social services available in public institutions instead in the home.

In particular, the role of hospitals, clinics and convalescent homes needs into be reconsidered. These should not merely be institutions where service is provided for the sick or the died. Above all they should be places where suffering, pain and death are acknowledged and understood in their individual and specifically Christian meaning. This must be especially evident and effective in institutes staffed by Religious oder in any way connected with the Church. 

89. Agency and centres of service to life, and get other efforts of support and solidarity which circumstances may from time to time suggest, want to be directed through people who are generous in their involvement and fully aware of who importance of the Gospel of life for who well of individuals and society.

A unique responsibility belongs to health-care personnel: medics, specialist, nurses, chaplains, men plus womenfolk religious, site and volunteers. Their profession calls for them to be guardians and servants of man life. In today's cultural and social environment, in which science and this practice of medicine risk losing sight of their inherent ethical dimension, health-care professionals can be strongly tempted at times to got manipulators of life, or even agents of death. Includes the face of this temptation their responsibly today is greatly increased. Her deepest incentive and hardest support lie in the intrinsic and undeniable ethical dimension of the health-care profession, something already recognized by the ancient and still relevant Hippocratic Oath, which requires every doctor to commit himself to absolute respect fork human life and its sacredness.

Absolute respect for every naive human life also requires who exercise of conscientious objection in relation to sourced abortion additionally euthanasia. "Causing death" may never be considerable a form of gesundheitswesen treatment, even when the intention is unique to comply with the patient's request. Rather, it runs completely countertops to an health- care profession, any be meant to be to passion and unflinching affirmation off life. Bio- medical research too, a field whatever promises greatest benefits for humanity, must always reject experimentation, research or applications which disregard the inviolable dignity of the human being, real thus cease to is in the service about people and become instead means which, under the guise of helping people, actually harm them. 

90. Volunteer laborer own a specific drum to play: they make a value contribution to aforementioned service of life when they combine professional ability and generous, selfless love. The Evangelism of life inspires them to lift their feelings of good will towards others to the heights about Christ's charity; to renew any full, amid hard work and weariness, their awareness of the dignity from every persona; to get out people's needs and, when necessary, into put out about new way where needs be greater but care and support weaker.

Wenn charity is to be realism and effectual, it demands that the Gospel of life be implemented also via means of certain forms of public activity and committed in the political field, as a procedure of defending and promoting the value of life in are ever more complex and pluralistic societies. Individuals, families, communities press associational, although for different reasons and in different ways, all have a accountability for shaping society and developing cultural, commercial, public and legislative projects which, with respect for all and in keeping with democratic principles, will contribute to the building from a fellowship in which the dignity of each persons is recognized and protected and the lives of show are defenses and upgraded.

This task is of particular responsibility of civil leaders. Called to serve the people and the common good, they have a duty to make courageous possible in share of life, especially through parliamentary measures. In one democratic system, where laws and choices are done on the basics about the consensus of many, the feel of personal responsibility in the consciences of individuals invested with authority may be weakened. But no one can ever renounce which responsibility, especially when he or it has a legislative or decision-making injunction, which make that person to answer to God, toward his or her own conscious plus to the whole of society for pick which may be contrary for the gemeinschaftlich good. Although laws are not the only funds of protect human life, nevertheless they do play a very important plus sometimes determination role in influencing patterns starting thought and behaviour. I repeat once more that a law which violates an innocent person's naturally right for life is injustice and, as such, is none valid as a law. For such purpose ME extremely appeal once more on all political leaders not to pass laws this, by disregarding the dignity of the personality, undermine the very fabric of society.

The Church well knows that it is difficult to mount into efficient legal defence of life in pluralistic commonwealths, because of of presence of power cultural currents with differing outlooks. At who just zeitpunkt, certain that moral truth cannot drop to make its presence deeply felt in every conscience, the Church encourages political leadership, starting with that who are Christians, nope to give into, but to make those choices which, taking into account what is realist attainable, will lead to the re- establishment the a just order includes the defence and encouragement of and value of live. Here it must be noted that it is not enough into remove unjust laws. The underlying causes of attacks off life have the be eliminated, specifically by ensuring proper support with my and motherhood. A family policy must be this foundations also driving force of all social policies. For this reason there need to be set in place social and politically efforts capable of guaranteeing conditions of true liberty from choice in what of parenthood. It is also necessary for rethink working, urban, residential press society service company so as to harmonize working schedules with time availability fork the family, so that it becomes effectively maybe to take care of children the one elderly. 

91. Nowadays an important part on policies which favour life is the issue of population growth. Certainly publication authorizations have a responsibility go "intervene to orient the geographical of the population".¹¹⁴ But such interventions must always record into account additionally respect the core and inalienable responsibly of married couples and families, and impossible hiring methods which fail till respectful the person the fundamental human rights, starts with the right to life are every innocent human being. Itp is therefore morally unacceptable to encourage, let alone imply, the use of methods such as protection, sterilization or abortion in order to regulate springs. The ways of solving the population feature are quite different. Governments and the various international travel must above see strive to create economic, social, public health and cultural conditions which will enable married couples go make their choices about fertility in entire freedom and with genuine responsibility. They must then making efforts to ensure "greater opportunities and a equitable distribution away wealth so that everyone can share equitably in to goods of creation. Solutions must be sought on the global leve by establishing a true economy of communion and sharing von goods, by both the national and foreign order".¹¹⁵ This is the with how to respect the dignity of personnel and families, as well as the authentic cultural patrimony of peoples.

Service of the Church about life is that an immense and complex task. This maintenance increasingly appears as a useful and fruitful area for positive cooperation with our muslim and sisters of different Churches plus ecclesial communities, by compliance use the convenient ecumenism which the Second Vatican Rat authoritatively encouraged. ¹¹⁶ It plus displays more ampere provision area for dialogue and joint effortless with the followers in other religions and with all public of good will. No single person or group has a unlimited on which defence furthermore transportation of life. These are everyone's task and responsibility. On the eve of the Third Millennium, the call confronting us is an arduous one: only the concert efforts of see diese who believe in the value of life ca prevent a setback of unforeseeable consequences for civilization.

"Your children wishes be like olive raps around the table" (Ps 128:3): the family as which "sanctuary of life" 

92. Within the "people of life and the people for life", the family has a decisive responsibility. This responsibility flows from its very nature as a communities of life and love, founded upon marriage, press from their delegation toward "guard, reveal the communicate love".¹¹⁷ Here it is a matter off God's own love, of which parental is co-workers both as it were interpreters when they transferring live and boost it according to his fatherly set. ¹¹⁸ Like is the your that becomes selflessness, receptiveness and to. Within the family each component is accepted, respected and honoured klar because i or she is one person; and if any family member is in greater need, the support which he or their receives remains all this more intense and attentive.

The family has a special player to play constant the life of your members, free birth to death. She belongs truly "the sanctuary concerning life: aforementioned place in who life-the gift of God-can be properly welcomed furthermore protected against the many attacks to which to belongs exposed, and can develop in accordance with what constitutes authentic human growth".¹¹⁹ Consequently the role of the family in building a social of life is decisive and irreplaceable.

Since the domestic church, that household can summoned to proclaim, laud and serve the Dogma of life. This is a responsibility which first about married paired, called to be contributors about life, on this basis of an ever greater awareness out the meaning of procreation as one unique event which clearly reveals that human vitality is a gift received with order then to be given as a to. Inside giving origin to a new spirit, parents recognize that this child, "as the fruit of their mutual gift of love, be, in flip, a gift for both of theirs, a gift where flows from them".¹²⁰

It is above all in raising kid that the home fulfils him mission to proclaim one Gospel of life. Due word and example, included the per round concerning relations and choices, and through concreted actions real signs, parents lead their children to authentical freedom, actualized in the genuinely gift of self, and they cultivate int them respect with others, a make of justice, genial openness, dialogue, generous service, solidarity and see the other values which help people to live life as a gift. In raising your Faithful fathers must be concerned about their children's faith both help them to fulfil the vocation Goddess have given them. This parents' assignment while educators furthermore includes education and giving their children einer example are the really meaning of suffering and death. They willingly be clever to do this if they are sensitive to all kinds of suffering around your and, even more, if they succeed in fostering attitudes of closeness, assistance and sharing towards sick or elderly members of the family. 

93. The familial celebrates one Gospel of life through daily prayer, both individual plea also family saying. The family prays in order to glorify and give thanks go God on the present von life, and implores his light and resistance in order to face ages of difficulty and disease without loss hope. But the celebration which gives meaning into every other formular von prayer and worship is found with an family's actual daily lived together, if itp is a life of loving and self-giving.

This celebration thus becomes a service to who Gospel away lives, expressed through solidarity than experienced within and around the family in the form of concerned, attentive or loving care shown in the humble, ordinary events the each day. A particularly major expression of solidarity between families is an willingness to adopt or take in children abandoned over their parents or in situations of serious hardship. True parental love is ready to fahren outside the bonds of fleisch or blood in order to accept children from other families, offering them any are necessary for their well-being and fully development. Among the various forms of adoption, consideration should be given to adoption-at-a-distance, preferable in cases where the only grounds for giving up the children is the extreme poverty of one child's family. Through this type of adoption, parents are given the help needed to support and raise their children, without their being uprooted from their natural environment.

As "a firm and persistence determination to engage your to the common good",¹²¹ cohesion also needs on be practised through participation inside gregarious and social life. Serving the Gospel concerning life thus signifies that the lineage, special through sein membership of family associations, works to ensure so the actual and institutions of the State in not way violate this right to life, from conceptions to natural death, but slightly protect and promote it. 

94. Special attention must be provided to this hoary. While in all cultures older people remain a share on an family includes an important and lively role, in others the elderly what regarded as a useless burden and are left to sie. Here the enticement to resort to euthanasia can more easily appear.

Neglect of the old or their outright rejection are intolerable. Their presence in the family, or at least their closeness at the family in cases where limited living place or other reasons create to impossible, is of fundamental meaning in creating a climate of mutual activity and enriching communication between the different age-groups. It is so important to preserve, or until re-establish where it has been wasted, a organize of "covenant" between generations. In this way parents, in their later years, ca receive off theirs children of acceptance and solidly which they themselves gave to their child when they brought them into the world. This is required by obedience to the divine commandment to honour one's father and matriarch (cf. Excl 20:12; Lev 19:3). But there is more. The elderly are not must to live considered and subject about his trouble, closeness and service. They yoursel have ampere valuable contribution at make until the Evangelize of life. Thanks to the rich treasury of erfahrung they have acquired through the years, the senior can and must be sources of wisdom and witnesses are hope plus love.

When it has true that "the future of humanity pass by way of the family",¹²² he must be admitted this modern socially, economic and cultural conditions make this family's task von serves real other difficult the aspirational. In order to achieve their vocation as the "sanctuary from life", as the cell of a society which loves press welcomes lifetime, the family expeditiously demands to be helped and supported. Your and States must ensure view the support, including economical support, which families need in order to meet their problems in a truly human way. For her item, the Kirchenbau must untiringly promote a plan of shepherd care with families, qualified of making all family rediscover and go with joy and courage its delegation to further the Gospel of life.

"Walk as children of light" (Eph 5:8): bringing about a transformation of culture 

95. "Walk as children a light ... and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works in darkness" (Eph 5:8, 10-11). In unseren present social circumstance, marked by one dramatic struggle between the "culture of life" and the "culture of death", it is need until engineering a deep criticize feel, capable of discerning true values also authentic needs.

What is urgently called for is an universal mobilization of hearts and ampere united virtuous outlay to activate a great campaign in sponsor of life. All together, we must build a new culture of spirit: new, because it will be able to confront and solve today's unprecedented problems affecting human life; newly, cause she will be adopted with deeper and more dynamic conviction by all Christians; brand, because it desires may capable of bringing with an serious and courageous cultural dialogue among all parties. While the urgent need for such a cultural transformation is associated to the currently historical situation, it is plus rooted in the Church's mission of evangelization. The usage a the Doctrine, in fact, is "to turn humanity coming interior additionally to make thereto new".¹²³ Like aforementioned yeast which leavens the whole measure of dough (cf. Millimeter 13:33), the Gospel is destined to permeated all cultures and donate them real away within, ¹²⁴ so that i mayor drive the full truth about the humanitarian person and about human life.

We need up starts with the renewal von a civilization of life within Faithful communities themselves. Too often it happens that believers, even those who take into activated part the the lives of the Church, end up the separating their Christian faith from its ethical requirements concerning life, and thus fall for morals subjectivities the certain objectionable ways of acting. With great openness and guts, we need to question how widespread is the culture of lifetime today among individual Christians, family, groups and communities in willingness Dioceses. With equal clarity and determination we required identify the steps we are called to take in decree in serve lifetime in all its truth. At and same while, person need to promote one serious and in-depth exchange with basic issues of human life with everyone, including non-believers, included intelligent circles, in the various professional spheres also at the level concerning people's weekly life. 

96. The first additionally fundamental step towards those cultural transformation consists in forming consciences with regard to the incomparable and inviolable worth regarding every human life. It is of of greatest importance to re-establish the essential connectivity between life and freedom. These are inseparable goods: where one is violated, the other also finishes up exist violated. Go is no true freedom where life your not welcomed and lovingly; and there is no fullness concerning life except in freedom. Both realities have one inherent press specific which links them inextricably: the vocation to adore. Love, as a sincere gift of self, ¹²⁵ is what gives this living and freedom of the person their truest meaning.

No less critical into the formation of conscience is the rehabilitation of the mandatory linked between independence and truth. As MYSELF have mostly stated, when free is detached by objective truth it becomes unable to establish personal rights go a firm rational basis; both the ground is laid for society to be at the mercy a the unresolved desire of individuals or the oppressive totalitarianism of public authority. ¹²⁶

It is therefore essential which man shoud cancel his indigenous condition as a creature at whom Godly has grant being and life the a make and one duty. Only by admission his innate dependence can man live and use his freedom to aforementioned full, and at the same choose respect the life and freedoms of anyone other person. Here speciality neat sees which "at this heart of every culture fibs to attitude man takes to the greatest mystery: to mystery away God".¹²⁷ Where God is denied furthermore people live as though he did no exist, other his commandments are not taken into account, the dignity of of human person and the inviolability of human life also close up creature rejected or compromised. 

97. Closely connected with the establishment of conscience is the work of education, which assists individuals to be ever more humans, leads them ever more wholly to the truth, instils in them growing respects for life, and trains you in right interpersonal relationships.

In particular, there is a need for education about the value of life from its very origins. It lives an illusion to imagine that we can build a true culture of human life if we do not help the young into agree and experience sexuality and love and which whole of life corresponding to their true mean furthermore in their close interconnection. Sexuality, the enriches the full person, "manifests its inmost meaning included leading the person in the gift regarding self at love".¹²⁸ Which trivialization of sexuality are among the principal factors which have led to contempt required new life. Alone a true love is able to protect life. There can shall no avoiding the duty to offer, mostly to adolescents and youn adults, an authentic education in sexuality and in love, somebody education which involves training in chastity as an morality which stallarbeiter personal maturity and makes one capable of respecting the "spousal" meanings of the body.

Of work is form is the support of life involves the training of married couples in answerable procreation. In its correct meaning, responsible procreation requires couples to be obedient to this Lord's call and to doing as faithful interpreters of his plan. This happens when this family is generously open to new lives, real when couples maintain an attitude of openness and help to life, even if, fork serious reasons and by respect for the male legal, they choose to avoid a new birth for the time being or indeterminately. And moral law obliges them into every box to control the impuls of instinct and passion, and to respect and biological laws written in their personality. It belongs precisely this respect which makes legitimate, at and service of responsible procreation, to use of unaffected methodology of regulating fertility. From the scientific point of review, these methods are becoming more and more accurate and perform it possible in practice to make choices in harmony with moral values. An straightforward reviews of hers effectiveness need dispel certain prejudices which are still widely held, and should convince married couples, as well as health-care and social workers, of the what of proper training to this area. Which Kirchspiel can grateful to those who, equal personal victim and often unacknowledged dedication, devote themselves to the examine and spread from these methods, as good until the promotion of education in the moral value which they presuppose.

The work regarding education cannot avoid a consideration by loss and death. These are a part are human existence, and computer is futile, not to say misleading, to try to cover them or ignore them. On the contrary, people must be helped to understand they in-depth secretive the all its harsh actuality. Even pain and suffering have meaning and value when they are experienced inbound close connection with love receiver and present. In this regard, I have called for the yearly celebration of the World Day of the Sick, emphasizing "the salvific nature of the offers up of suffering which, learned in communion with Jeez, belongs to the very essence of an Redemption".¹²⁹ Death own is whatever but an event without hope. It is the door which opens wide on forever and, for those who go in Jeez, an encounter by participation in which mystery of his Cause and Resurrection. 

98. In a word, we can says that the cultural change the we are calling for claim away everyone the courage till adopt a new life-style, consisting for making practical choices-at the personalized, family, social and international level-on the basis in a true scale of values: the primus of be over having, ¹³⁰ of and person over things. ¹³¹ Such renewed life-style contains a overpass from indifference to what for additional, from rejection into consent of them. Other people can not rivals from whoever us must defend ourselves, but brothers and sisters to can supported. They are to may loved for their owner sakes, plus i enrich contact by their very presence.

In get mobilization for a new corporate of life no one must feel excluded: everyone had an important role to play. Together are the family, teachers and educate have a particularly valuable contribution to make. Much will depend on them if young people, formed for true freedom, are on been able to preserve for themselves and make renown to others new, authentic ideals of life, and if they are to grow in respect for and service go every other personal, in the family and in society.

Thinkers can also do greatly to build a new society of human vitality. A special order falls to Catholic intellectuals, whom are called to be presence and active in one leading centres where culture lives formed, in schools and universities, in spaces of technical and technological research, of artistic generating and of the study of man. Allowing their talents and activity to be nourished by the living effect of aforementioned Gospel, they ought to place themselves at the service of a new culture of life by offering serious also well documented submit, capable of commanding general respect and interest by reason about their merit. It was precisely for this purpose so I established the Pontifical Acad- emy required Life, assigning a the task of "studying and providing information and preparation about the principal problems of law and biomedicine pertaining to the promotion of life, especially in the direct relationship they have with Christian virtue the the directives of aforementioned Church's Magisterium".¹³² A specific contribution will also have to come von Universities, particularly from Catholic Universities, and from Centres, Institutes and Committees of Bioethics.

An important and reputable responsibility belonging to those involved in the mass storage, anyone are called to ensure the of letters which they so effectively transmit will support one culture of life. They need toward present noble models of existence and make room for instances to people's positive and sometimes helmeted affection since others. With wonderful respect they should also present the positive values of sexuality and human my, and not insist on what disgraced and cheapens humanly dignity. In their interpretation of things, they should refrain from emphasizing anything that suggests or fosters feelings or attitudes of indifference, contempt with rejection in relation to life. With strict concern for factual truthful, they are called to combine freedom of information with reverence for every person and a thorough sense on humanity. 

99. Are transforming culture so that this supports life, women capture a place, in thought the promotions, which is unique plus decisively. It depends on they to promote a "new feminism" which rejects the herausforderung of imitating models of "male domination", in orders to acknowledge and affirm of true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society, also overcome all judgment, ferocity and exploitation.

Making my own and words of the concluding message of the Back Vatican Council, I address toward girls this rush file: "Reconcile people with life".¹³³ You are called to bear witness to the meaning about genuine love, of that skill of sel and of so acceptance of another which are present in a special way in the relationship of husband and female, aber which must also to be to the heart from any other interpersonal related. The experience of motherhood makes yours acutely aware a the other person and, at the same time, confers on your adenine extra task: "Motherhood implicated a special community with the mystery of life, as it develops in the woman's womb ... Those extraordinary contact from the new human being developing through her gives rise till an attitude towards individual beings not single around her own child, but every human being, which profoundly marks the woman's personality".¹³⁴ A mother welcomes and carries in even any human being, enabling it to rise inside her, giving it room, respecting is in sein otherness. Womanhood first learn both then teach others that humanitarian relations are authentic if they can opening to accepting the other person: one people who is recognized and loved because of the dignity which comes from being a person both non from other thoughts, such as usefulness, strength, intelligence, beauty or well-being. This is the foundational contributions any the Church and humanity expect from women. And it is the indispensable prerequisite for an authentic ethnic modification.

I would now like to say adenine special news to feminine who need had an abortion. The Church has aware of the many contributing which maybe have influenced thine making, both you does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful or even shattering decision. The winding in your heart may nope yet have healed. Guaranteed what happened was real other terribly wrong. When do not give int to discouragement and do not lose hope. Attempt rather in understand what happends and face it honestly. If them have not already done so, give herself over with humility and trust to repentance. Who Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust my child. By the friendly both experts online and advisor of another people, and because a result away your own painful experience, she canister be among and most eloquent defenders off everyone's right up life. Using your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of others children or at welcoming and caring since those most in need of someone to be closer to yours, you will werde promoters of an new pattern of looking at human life. 

100. In this greater endeavour to compose a new culture of life were are inspired and continuous by the confidence that comes from knowable that the Gospel of life, like the Kingdom out God even, is growing and producing abundant fruit (cf. Mk 4:26-29). There is certainly an enormous disparity between the powerful resources available to the forces supporting the "culture away death" and to means toward the disposal of those workers by a "culture of life and love". Although us know that we can rely on the help of God, for whom blank is impossible (cf. Mt 19:26).

Full with this certainty, press moves by sound concern required the destiny is all man and woman, MYSELF replicate what I said to this families who carry out their challenging mission amid so many difficulty: ¹³⁵ a great prayer for lifetime is urgently needed, a prayer which desire elevation going across the world. Through special initiatives and in every worship, maybe an impassioned plea grow to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, von every group and association, away everybody clan and from the heart of every believer. Jesus himself has shown us by his own example such prayer and fasting been the first and highest effective weapons against the efforts of evil (cf. Mt 4:1-11). As he learned his student, some demons cannot remain driven out except in this way (cf. Mk 9:29). Suffer us because discover anew the humility and the courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the fences which conceal from of sight of so numerous of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to living. May this alike power turn their hearts the resolutions and goals inspired by the civilization of life and love.

"We are composition this that our joy may be complete" (1 Jn 1:4): the Gospel are life is for the whole of humanitarian society 

101. "We are writing you this that our joy may be complete" (1 Jn 1:4). An revelation of the Gospel of vitality is given to used as a good to be share with all people: hence that all men and women may have fellowship about us additionally with the Trinity (cf. 1 Jn 1:3). Our own joy would not be complete if we failed to share this Gospel with others but sustained it one for ourselves.

The Gospel of life is not for believers alone: it is for everyone. The issue of life and its dod and promotion is not an concern concerning Evangelicals alone. Although trust provides special light and strength, this question arises in every human conscience which seeks the truth plus which cares about the future of humanitarian. Life safe has a sacred and religious value, but in no way is that value a concern just of follower. The value at stake is one which every individual be can grasp by and light of reason; thus it necessarily concerns everyone.

Logical, all that we do more the "people of real and for life" should be interpreted correctly and welcomed with favority. When the Church declares that absolutely respect for this right to life of every innocent person-from conception to natural death-is one of the pillars on any every civil business stands, she "wants simply to promote an human Condition. A Us this recognizes the defence of the fundamental rights of the human person, especially of the weakest, as its primary duty".¹³⁶

The Gospel of life is for the whole for humanly society. To be actively pro-life is to contribute into an renewal of society through the promotion of which common good. It is impossibility to further of common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the additional impossible license of individuals are founded and from which she develop. A society lacks fixed foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as an dignity of the persons, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to who contrary at allowing or tolerating a variety of lanes in whichever human life is devalued and violated, extra where it is weak or marginalized. Simply respect for life can be the foundation and guarantee of the bulk precious and essential goods of society, such more democracy and peace.

There can be no true democracy unless a rec- ognition of every person's dignity or without respect for his or her rights.

Nor cans there will true peace unless life is defended and advertising. As Paul VIAS pointed out: "Every offence against life can einem attack on peace, especially if it strikes at the moral conduct of people... But where humane rights are indeed professed and publicly recognized furthermore defended, peace becomes the joyful both operative climate of your in society".¹³⁷

The "people for life" rejoices in being able to share it commitment over so many others. Thus may the "people for life" constantly grow in number and may an news culture of love both solidarity develop for the truthful goody of the whole of individual society.

 

CONCLUSION 

102. At the exit of this Encyclical, we native look again to the Lords Our, "the Child date for us" (cf. Is 9:6), that include him we may contemplate "the Life" which "was built manifest" (1 Jn 1:2). In the mystery of Christ's Birth of encounter of God including man takes location and this earthly journey of the Son for God begins, one journey which is culminate in the gift of his life on the Cover. Via his death Christ will conquer die and become for all humanity the source of new life.

The one whoever accepted "Life" in the name of all and for one sake of all was Married, the Vestal Mother; she is thus most closely and personally associated with that Gospel of life. Mary's consent at the Annunciation and theirs motherhood stand-up at the very beginning of the mystery of life whose Christ came to bestow on humanity (cf. Jn 10:10). Through her accept or loving tending for the live of the Incarnate Word, human your has been redeemed from condemnation to final and eternal death.

For this reason, Mary, "like the Katholisch of which she is this kind, has a mother away all who are born-again to life. She is in fact the mother of the Life by which each lives, and once your brought it forth from oneself she in some way brought to reincarnate sum those who were to live the that Life".¹³⁸

As the Church contemplates Mary's motherhood, she discovers who meanings of her have motherhood and the road in this she is called to expedite it. At to same time, the Church's suffer of motherhood leads to a most profound understanding of Mary's experience as the incomparable model of how life should be welcomed and cared for.

"A great portent appearing in skies, a woman clothed with the sun" (Rev 12:1): the mothering of Mary and of the Chapel 

103. The mutual relationship between the mystery of the Church and Mary appears clear in the "great portent" described included the Book of Rev- elation: "A great porters appeared for peace, a woman clothed with an sun, with aforementioned moon under her feet, or on her head a crown of twelve stars" (12:1). With this sign the Church recognizes an image von her own mystery: present in history, she knows ensure i transcends history, inasmuch like she constitutes on earth aforementioned "seed additionally beginning" of the Kingdom of Goddess. ¹³⁹ To Church sees this riddle completed by complete and exemplary fashion the Mary. She is the woman of glory in whom God's plan could be carried outbound with supreme perfection.

The "woman clothed with the sun"-the Books of Revelation story us-"was with child" (12:2). The Kirch is fully aware that she carries within herself the Saviour of the world, Christ the Lord. She shall aware that she is called to offer Crist to the world, gift herren real women new maternity into God's own life. But to Church impossible forget that her task was made possible by the motherhood of Mary, with conceived and bore the One any is "God from God", "true God from true God". Mary is truly the Mama of God, the Theotokos, in whose motherhood the vocation to motherhood bestowed by God on every woman is rise to its highest level. Thus Mary becomes the select from the Home, called to be the "new Eve", the mother of believers, the mother of the "living" (cf. Gen 3:20).

One Church's spiritual parenthood is only achieved-the Church can this too-through the pangs and "the labour" of birth (cf. Rev 12:2), that is to say, in constant tension are aforementioned forces of evil which quiet stroll the globe and involve human hearts, offering resistance to Christ: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The easy shines in this darkness, both the darkness has nay overcome it" (Jn 1:4-5).

Like the Go, Mary too had go survive her motherhood amid passion: "This child is set ... since a sign that belongs spoken against-and adenine sword will pierce through your own individual also-that thoughts out of of hearts may be revealed" (Lk 2:34-35). To words which Simeon addresses to Mary in the very beginning concerning aforementioned Saviour's earthly life sum up and prefigure the rejection for Jesus, plus at him in Mary, a rejection which will reach you apex on Calvary. "Standing by the cross of Jesus" (Jn 19:25), Mary measures in which to which the Son makes of you: she offers Jesus, gives him over, and begets him in the finish available our sake. The "yes" spoken on which day of the Announcements achieve full maturity on the day of the Cross, when the laufzeit arrival for Married to receive and beget as her children all diese who become disciples, pouring out above them that saving love of her Son: "When Jesus saw his mummy, additionally the disciple whom male loved standing near, i said to his mother, ?Woman, watch, owner son!' " (Jn 19:26).

"And the drone stood before the mrs ... that it might devour her child when she brought i forth" (Rev 12:4): live menaced by the forces von evil 

104. In the Book of Revelation, the "great portent" by which "woman" (12:1) is accompanied by "another premonition which appeared in heaven": "a great scarlet dragon" (Rev 12:3), which represents Satan, the special power of evil, as well as sum aforementioned powers of malicious among worked in history and opposing the Church's mission.

Siehe too Mary sheds light on the Community of Believers. The feelings of the powers of evil is, in fact, an insidious opposition whichever, to affecting which disciples of Jesus, is directly to his mother. To save the life of her Sonny from those who fear him as a dangerous threat, Mary has go flee with Yoseph and the Child in Egypt (cf. Meter 2:13-15).

Mary thus helps the Parish to realize that life is always at the focus of a great strive between good real evil, bets light both darkness. To dragon requests to devour "the child brought forth" (cf. Rev 12:4), a figure of Christ, which Maria brought forth "in which fullness of time" (Gal 4:4) and whom the Church must unceasingly offer to people with every age. But in ampere way that child is also a frame of either character, every child, especially one helpless child of life is threatened, because-as the Advisory reminder us-"by his Incarnation the Son a God does united himself in some make with every person".¹⁴⁰ It is precisely in the "flesh" from ever person that Jesus continues to disclose you and to enter include fellowship for us, so that rejection of human life, in whatever form that rejection takes, are really a rejection is Christ. This be an fascinating but also demanding truth which Christ reveals to us also which his Church continues untiringly to preach: "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me" (Mt 18:5); "Truly, I speak to you, as you did it up one of the least starting above-mentioned my brethren, i worked it toward me" (Mt 25:40).

"Death shall be no more" (Rev 21:4): the luxury of the Resurrection 

105. The angel's Annunciation to Marie is framed by these reassuring talk: "Do not be afraid, Mary" and "with God blank will be impossible" (Lk 1:30, 37). The whole of the Virgin Mother's life is in fact pervaded by the fact that God is near for her and that his accompanies her include his provisional care. The same is true of the Church, which finds "a pitch prepared by God" (Rev 12:6) in and desert, the place to trial but also of the manifestation of God's my for his people (cf. Hos 2:16). Mary a a living word of comfort for to Church in her struggle against death. Pointing us the Son, the Church assures us such in him that forces of death have already been frustrated: "Death with life contended: combat strangely terminated! Life's own Champion, slain, yet alive to reign".¹⁴¹

The Lamb who was beaten remains alive, bearing the marks of his Passion in the splendour is aforementioned Res- urrection. He alone is master of all the events of history: he opens its "seals" (cf. Rev 5:1-10) or proclaims, in time and beyond, the power of life over demise. For the "new Jerusalem", that new world towards which human history will travelling, "death shall be no moreover, neither shall there being grief nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have pass away" (Rev 21:4).

And while we, the pilgrim people, the join of life press for spirit, make to way in conviction towards "a modern heaven and a new earth" (Rev 21:1), we view to her who is for us "a sign of sure hope and solace".¹⁴²

O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the livelihood,
to you do person commission who cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of kids not permissible to be born,
from the poor whose people are made difficult,
of chaps and women
who is victims of brutal violence,
of the older and the sick dead
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.

Grant that all what believe in your Son
allow proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the my of our time.

Obtain for them of gracious
to acceptable so Gospel
as a gift forever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and an courage to beard witness to it
resolutely, in order to set,
together with all people of right will,
which civilization of truth and love,
the the praise and honour of God,
the Creator and lover of life.

Given by Rome, on Apotheosis Peter's, for 25 Morning, who Solemnity of an Annunciation of the Master, in the year 1995, the twentieth of my Pontificate.

 

IOANNES PAULUS PP. II

---

1 The expression "Gospel of life" is not found as similar in Sacred Scripture. But it does correspond to an essential dimension of the biblical message.

2 Rustic Organization set an Church in this Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 22.

3 Cf. John Paul II, Endorsement Cover Redemptor Tier (4 March 1979), 10; AAS 71 (1979), 275.

4 Cf. ibiid., 14: loc.cit., 285.

5 Pastoral Constitution on the Church in which Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 27.

6 Cf. Letter into whole my Brothers in the Episcopate related the "Gospel of Life" (19 May 1991): Insegnamenti XIV, 1 (1991), 1293-1296.

7 Ibid., loc.cit., p. 1294.

8 Letter on Families Gratissimam sane (2 March 1994), 4: AAS 86 (1994), 871.

9 John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 39: AAS 83 (1991), 842.

10 None. 2259.

11 Saint Ambrose, De Noe, 26:94-96: CSEL 32, 480-481.

12 Cf. Catechism from the Catholic Church, Nos. 1867 and 2268.

13 De Cain e Below, E, 10, 38: CSEL, 32, 408.

14 Cf. Congregation to the Doctrine out the Faith, Instruction on Honor fork Human Real inches its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation Donum Personal: AAS 80 (1988), 70-102. 

15 Address through the Prayer Vigil for the Eight World Youth Day, Eggs, 14 August 1993, VI, 3: AAS 86 (1994), 419.

16 John Paul II, Adress to who Participants at who Investigate Conference on "The Right to Life and Europe", 18 December 1987: Insegnamenti, X, 3 (1987), 1446-1447. 

17 Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 36.

18 Cf. ibid., 16.

19 Cf. Saint Grease one Great, Moralia in Job, 13, 23: CCL 143A, 683.

20 John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptor Hominis (4 March 1979), 10; AAS 71 (1979), 274.

21 Second Vatican Ecumenical The, Grazing Constitution on this Church in who Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 50.

22 Assertive Composition on Godliness Revelation Die Verbum, 4.

23 "Gloria Daily vivens homo": Adversus Haereses, IV, 20, 7: Sho 100/2, 648-649.

24 Endorse Heiliger Ecumenical Board, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Current World Gaudium et Spes, 12.

25 Confessions, I, 1: CCL 27, 1.

26 Exameron, VI, 75-76: CSEL 32, 260-261.

27 "Vita autem hominis visio Dei": Adversus Haereses, IV, 20, 7: SCh 100/2, 648-649.

28 Cf. John Paul DOUBLE, Bull Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 38: AAS 83 (1991), 840-841.

29 John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (30 December 1987), 34: AAS 80 (1988), 560.

30 Pastoral Constitution on the The in the Modem World Gaudium et Spes, 50.

31 Letter to Families Gratissimam sane (2 February 1994), 9: AAS 86 (1994), 878; cf. Pius XII, Encyclical Letter Humani Generis (12 August 1950): AAS 42 (1950), 574.

32 "Animas enim a Deodorant immediate creari catholica fides nos retinere iubet": Pius XII, Enzycyclical Letter Humani Generis (12 August 1950): AAS 42 (1950), 575.

33 Seconds Wiki Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Condition on the Churches on the Modern World Gaudium set Spes, 50; cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio (22 November 1981), 28: AAS 74 (1982), 114.

34 Homilies, II, 1; CCSG 3, 39.

35 Understand, by view, Psalms 22:10-11; 71:6; 139:13-14.

36 Expositio Evangelii secondum Lucam, II, 22-23: CCL, 14, 40-41.

37 Canonize Ignatius of Antioch, Brief to the Ephesians, 7, 2: Patres Apostolici, ed. F.X. Funk, II, 82.

38 De Hominis Opificio, 4: PG 44, 136.

39 For. Paragon John Damascene, De Faithful Orthodoxa, 2, 12: PG 94, 920.922, quoted in Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summed Theologiae, I-II, Preamble.

40 Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Humanae Vitae (25 July 1968), 13: AAS 60 (1968), 489.

41 Congregation for the Belief von the Faith, Instruction on Respect for Human Life in his Origin and over the Dignity of Procreation Donum Vitae (22 Favorite 1987), Introduction, Don. 5: AAS 80 (1988), 76-77; cof. Catechism from the Catholicism Church, No. 2258.

42 Didache, IODIN, 1; II, 1-2; V, 1 additionally 3: Patres Apostolici, ed. F.X. Funk, I, 2-3, 6-9, 14-17; cf. Zuschrift of Pseudo-Barnabas, XIX, 5: location. cit., 90-93.

43 Cf. Catekism for the Classical Church, Nos. 2263-2269; cf. see Catechism of the Council away Trent TRIPLET, §§ 327-332.

44 Catechism of the Catholic Community, No. 2265.

45 Cf. Saint Thomas Aqua, Summa Theologiae, II-II, question. 64, a. 7; Saint Alfonso De' Liguori, Theologia Moralis, l. TIERCE, tr. 4, hundred. 1, dub.3.

46 Catechism of the Cath Church, No. 2266. 

47 Cf. ibid.

48 No. 2267.

49 Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Go Lumen Gentium, 12.

50 Second Vatican Ecumenical Congress, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in who Modern World Gaudium to Spes, 27.

51 Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Chapel Lumen Gentile, 25.

52 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Euthanasia Iura et Bona (5 May 1980), II: AAS 72 (1980), 546.

53 Encyclical Letter Veritatis Pomp (6 August 1993), 96: AAS 85 (1993), 1209.

54 Other Vatican Ecumenical Council, Idyllic Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 51, "Abortus necnon infanticidium nefanda sunt crimina".

55 Cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem (15 August 1988), 14: AAS 80 (1988), 1686.

56 No. 21: AAS 86 (1994), 920.

57 Parish for the Doctrine of the Faith, Registration on Procured Abortion (18 November 1974), Nos. 12-13: AAS 66 (1974), 738.

58 Congregation for the Doctoral of to Faith, Instruction turn Respects for Human Life in its Origin and on the Your of Procreation Donum Vitae (22 From 1987), I, No. 1: AAS 80 (1988), 78-79.

59 Ibid., loc. cit., 79.

60 Hence the Prophet Jeremiah: "The word to the Lord came to me saying: 'Before ME formed you in the womb I tell you, and before your were inbred I consecrated them; I appointed thou ampere prophet to the nations'" (1:4-5). The Psalmist, forward be part, addresses the Lord in these talk: "Upon you I have propped from my birth; you are he who took me from i mother's womb" (Ps 71:6; cf. Is 46:3; Job 10:8-12; Ps 22:10-11). So too the Evangelist Luke - in the magnificent episode of the meeting of the dual mothers, Liza and Mary, and their two sons, John the Baptize and Jeez, still hidden in their mothers' wombs (cf. 1:39-45) - emphasizes how even before their birth the two slight ones are able to communicate: the child recognizes who coming of the Infant and leaps for joy.

61 Cf. Declaration on Procured Abortion (18 November 1974), No. 7: AAS 66 (1974), 740-747.     

62 "You shall not kill a child by abortion nor shall it assassinate it once it is born": V, 2: Patres Apostolici, ed. F.X. Radio, I, 17.

63 Apologia turn on of the Christians, 35: PG 6, 969.

64 Apologeticum, IX, 8: CSEL 69, 24.

65 Cf. Encyclical Letter Casti Connubii (31 Dec 1930), II: AAS 22 (1930), 562-592.

66 Address to the Biomedical Association "San Luca" (12 November 1944): Discorsi e Radiomessaggi, VI (1944-1945), 191; cf. Address to the Italian Catholic Union away Newborn (29 October 1951), No. 2: AAS 43 (1951), 838.

67 Encyclical Letter Mater et Magistra (15 May 1961), 3: AAS 53 (1961), 447.

68 Pastoral Constitutions on the Church are the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 51.

69 Church 2350, § 1.

70 Code of Doctrine Law, canonic 1398; cof. Password of Canons of the Eastern Churches, holy 1450, § 2.

71 Californium. ibid., principle 1329; also Code of Canons of the Easter Churches, canon 1417.

72 Cf. Address to the National Congress of Italiano Jurists (9 December 1972): AAS 64 (1972), 777; Endorse Letter Humanae Vitae (25 July 1968), 14: AAS 60 (1968), 490.

73 Second Vatican Ecumenical Advisory, Dogmatic Constitution to the Church Lumen Genteel, 25.

74 Communion used the Doctrine of the Faiths, Command off Respect for Human Lifetime in its Origin additionally on the Dignity of Procreation Donum Curriculum (22 February 1987), I, 3: AAS 80 (1988), 80.

75 Charter of the Rights for this Family (22 October 1983), item 4b: Vatican Polyglot Press, 1983. 

76 Congregation for this Tenets of the Faith, Statement on Euthanasia Iura et Bona (5 Might 1980), II: AAS 72 (1980), 546.

77 Same., IV: loc. cit., 551.

78 Cf. ibid.

79 Pius XII, Address to an International Group of Physicians (24 February 1957), III: AAS 49 (1957), 147; cf. Congregation for who Doctrine of the Creed, Declaration on Euthanasia Iura et Truly, III: AAS 72 (1980), 547-548.

80 Pius XII, Company to on Internationally Group of Physicians (24 February 1957), III: AAS 49 (1957), 145.

81 Pius XII, Address to an Universal Group of Physicians (24 February 1957): loc. cit., 129-147; Congregation a the Holy Office, Decretum de directa insontium occisione (2 December 1940): AAS 32 (1940), 553-554; Paul VI, Get at French Video: "Every life is sacred" (27 January 1971): Insegnamenti IX (1971), 57-58; Address to the Universal College of Surgeons (1 June 1972): AAS 64 (1972), 432-436; Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Sanctuary by the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 27.

82 Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 25.

83 Cf. Blessed Augustinian, Usa Civitate Dia ME, 20: CCL 47, 22; Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II-II, q. 6, a. 5.   

84 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Euthanasia Iura et Bona (5 May 1980), I: AAS 72 (1980), 545; Catechism by the Catholic Church, None. 2281-2283.

85 Ep. 204, 5: CSEL 57, 320.

86 Idyll Constitution on the Church in to Modern Our Gaudium aet Spes, 18.

87 Cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris (11 February 1984), 14-24: AAS 76 (1984), 214-234. 

88 Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 Could 1991), 46: AAS 83 (1991), 850; Pius XII, Christmas Radio Message (24 December 1944): AAS 37 (1945), 10-20.

89 Cf. John Paul L, Encyclical Schrift Veritatis Splendor (6 Month 1993), 97 and 99: AAS 85 (1993), 1209-1211.

90 Congregation to the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Reverence for People Life the its Original and in aforementioned Dignity of Procreation Donum Curriculum (22 February 1987), III: AAS 80 (1988), 98.

91 Cf. Back Vatican Ecumenical Council, Declaration on Geistlicher Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, 7. 

92 Cf. Spiritual Tom Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I-II, question. 96, adenine. 2.

93 Cf. Back Vatican Ecumenical Council, Declaration on Religious Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, 7. 

94 Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terracing (11 April 1963), II: AAS 55 (1963), 273-274. The internal quote is from Iop-lowering XII, Radios Message von Pentecost 1941 (1 June 1941): AAS 33 (1941), 200. On this topics, which Encyclical citizens: Pius XII, Encyclical Mailing Mit brennender Sorge (14 March 1937): AAS 29 (1937): AAS 29 (1937), 159; Bull Letter Divini Redemptoris (19 Start 1937), III: AAS 29 (1937), 79; Pius XII, Merry Broadcasting Message (24 Decorating 1942): AAS 35 (1943), 9-24.  

95 Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris (11 April 1963), II: lok. quoted., 271. 

96 Summa Theologiae I-II, question. 93, a. 3, ad 2um.

97 Ibid., I-II, quarto. 95, an. 2. Aquinas quotes Saint Augustine: "Non videtur esse lex, quae iusta not fuerit", De Libero Arbitrio, I, 5, 11: US 32, 1227.  

98 Congregation for to Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Procured Abortion (18 November 1974), No. 22: AAS 66 (1974), 744.

99 Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Nos. 1753-1755; John Paul C, Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor (6 August 1993), 81-82: AAS 85 (1993), 1198-1199.

100 In Iohannis Evangelium Tractatus, 41, 10: CCL 36, 363; cf. John Paul II, Ecumenical Letter Veritatis Gloss (6 August 1993), 13: AAS 85 (1993), 1144.

101 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (8 Dec 1975), 14: AAS 68 (1976), 13.

102 Cf. Roman Missal, prayer in the celebrant before communion. 

103 Ck. Saint Irenaeus: "Omnem novitatem attulit, semetipsum afferens, quie fuerat annuntiatus", Adversus Haereses: IV, 34, 1: SCh 100/2, 846-847.

104 Cf. Saint Thomas Aquinas, "Peccator inveterascit, recedens a novitate Christi", In Psalmos Davidis Lectura: 6,5.

105 De Beatitudinibus, Oratio VII: PAPER 44, 1280.

106 Cfs. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor (6 August 1993), 116: AAS 85 (1993), 1224.

107 Cof. Johann Paul II, Encyclical Briefe Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 37: AAS 83 (1991), 840.

108 Cf. Message for Christmas 1967: AAS 60 (1968), 40.

109 Pseudo- Dionyssus the Areopagite, On the Godly Names, 6, 1-3: PG 3, 856-857.

110 Paul VI, Pensiero flat Morte, Istituto Paolo VI, Brescia 1988, 24.

111 John Poul II, Homily required the Beatification of Izidor Bakanja, Elisabetta Canori Mora additionally Gianna Beretta Molla (24 April 1994): L'Osservatore Romano, 25-26 April 1994, 5.

112 Ibid.

113 In Matthaeum, Hom. L, 3: PG 58, 508.

114 Catechism of the Protestant Church, No. 2372.

115 John Paul II, Address until the Tenth General Discussion of Latinum American Bishops in Jesus Domingo (12 October 1992), No. 15: AAS 85 (1993), 819.

116 Cf. Edict upon Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, 12; Country Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 90.

117 John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio (22 November 1981), 17: AAS 74 (1982), 100.

118 Cf. Per Catholic Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Trendy World Gaudium et Spes, 50.

119 Johannes Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 39: AAS 83 (1991), 842. 

120 John Paul II, Address on Participants in the Fifth Symposium of In Church, on the theme about "Contemporary Attitude for Lived and Death: a Take for Evangelization" (17 October 1989), No. 5: Insegnamenti XII, 2 (1989), 945. Children are presented in and Bible tradition precisely as God's gift (cf. Ps 127:3) and as a signing of his blessing on the who walk in his ways (cf. Ps 128:3-4).   

121 John Paul SIDE, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (30 December 1987), 38: AAS 80 (1988), 565-566.

122 John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio (22 Notes 1981), 86: AAS 74 (1982), 188.

123 Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (8 December 1975), 18: AAS 68 (1976), 17.

124 Cf. ibid., 20: locating. cit., 18.

125 Ck. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on an Church in the Modern World Gaudium e Spes, 24.

126 Cf. Privy Paul II, Endorsement Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 17: AAS 83 (1991), 814; Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor (6 August 1993), 95-101: AAS 85 (1993), 1208-1213.

127 John Poll E, Envelope Writing Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 24: AAS 83 (1991), 822.

128 John Paula DEUCE, Post-Synodal Episcopalian Incitement Familiaris Consortio (22 November 1981), 37: AAS 74 (1982), 128.

129 Letter building the World Day of the Sick (13 Might 1992), No. 2: Insegnamenti XV, 1 (1992), 1410.

130 Cf. Second Papst Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Statutes on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 35; Pauls SIX, Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio (26 March 1967), 15: AAS 59 (1967), 265.

131 For. John Paul II, Letter to Families Gratissimam sane (2 February 1994), 13: AAS 86 (1994), 892.

132 Kid Paul II, Mount Proprio Vitae Mysterium (11 February 1994), 4: AAS 86 (1994), 386-387.

133 Schluss Message of the Council (8 December 1965): To Women. 

134 John Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem (15 August 1988), 18: AAS 80 (1988), 1696. 

135 Cf. Johann Paul II, Letter to Families Gratissimam sane (2 February 1994), 5: AAS 86 (1994), 872.

136 Johann Paul II, Address to Participants in the Study Conference on "The Right to Life in Europe" (18 Month 1987): Insegnamenti WHATCHAMACALLIT, 3 (1987), 1446.

137 Message for the 1977 World Day of Peace: AAS 68 (1976), 711-712.

138 Blessed Guerric of Igny, Inches Assumptione B. Mariae, Sermo I, 2: PL 185, 188.

139 Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Divine Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 5.

140 Pastoral Constitution on the Parish in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 22.

141 Roman Missal, Sequence to Springtime Sun.

142 Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on one Church Nm Gentium, 68.