386. Respect for the dignity of persons

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 386

Ave Maria series

Why does the Fifth Commandment protect the physical and spiritual integrity of a human being as well?

The right to life and human dignity form a unity; they are inseparably connected to each other.  It is possible to put a person to death spiritually also.  [2284-2287, 2326]

Severe overcrowding of refugees. .....138 ..... 386

The commandment “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13)applies to both physical and spiritual integrity.  Every seduction and incitement to evil, every use of force is a serious sin, especially when it occurs in a relationship of dependency.  The sin is especially evil when the dependence of children on adults is involved.  This means not only sexual abuse, but also spiritual seduction by parents, priest, teachers, or educators who lead their charges astray from values, and so on.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would  be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”  Matthew 18:6

“If you love yourself, then you love all men as yourself.  As long as you love one single person less than you love yourself, you have not truly begun to love yourself.”  Meister Eckhart (ca. 1260-1328)

“God loves us far more than we love ourselves.”  St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

[2284-2287, 2326]

Respect for the souls of others: scandal

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense. --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Edition Second

2285 Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6; compare 1 Corinthians 8:10-13. )⁸⁶ Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep's clothing. (Compare Matthew 7:15.)⁸⁷ –CCC

2286 Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion. –CCC

Therefore, they are guilty of scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to "social conditions that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the Commandments difficult and practically impossible." (Pius XII, Discourse, June 1, 1941.)⁸⁸ This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger, (Compare Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21.)⁸⁹ or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values.–CCC

2287 Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged. "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!" (Luke 17:1.)⁹⁰–CCC

IN BRIEF

2326 Scandal is a grave offense when by deed or omission it deliberately leads others to sin gravely. –CCC

People  Refuge severe overcrowding 

385. Embryo research

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 385

Ave Maria series

Can experiments be performed on living embryos and embryonic stem cells?

No.  Embryos are human beings, because human life begins with the fusion of a sperm cell and an egg.  [2275, 2323]

…..Fighting for Calib by Ashleigh Moon: “Calib is now 11 years old and perfect! He has absolutely nothing wrong with him. Our little “blob of tissue” is the center of our family and living miracle. He is our daily reminder that no man knows what God does. I thank God every day that we chose life! Caleb is an amazing little guy that to a genetic specialist was replaceable. He is a drummer at our church, learning guitar, a friend, a brother, my son, a daddy’s boy, a sweetheart, and his story is impacting hundreds of people. Life is the only choice! I often think of all the Caleb’s the world is missing out on. Our little Caleb is a miracle and we thank God for His blessing every day! God Bless!!!”--March for Life 2019….. 385

Regarding embryos as biological material, “producing” them and then “using” their stem cells for purposes of research is absolutely immoral and falls under the commandment “You shall not kill.”  Research on adult stem cells is a different matter, since they cannot develop into human beings.  Medical interventions on an embryo are justifiable only if they are made with the intention of healing, if the life and unimpaired development of the child are assured, and if the risks involved are not disproportionately great.  292

“The diagnosis of disability in the unborn child cannot be a reason for abortion, because life with such a disability is also desired and appreciated by God, and here on earth no one can ever be sure that he or she will live without physical or spiritual limitations.”  Pope Benedict XVIl, September 28, 2006

[2275, 2323]

Abortion

2275 "One must hold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but are directed toward its healing the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae I,3.)⁸³ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

"It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae I,5.)⁸⁴–CCC

"Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity" (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae I,6.)⁸⁵ which are unique and unrepeatable.---CCC

IN BRIEF

2323 Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being. –CCC

People  Abortion Fighting for Calib

384.The life of a disabled person is also desired and appreciated by God.

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 384

Ave Maria series

Can a handicapped child be aborted?

No.  Aborting a handicapped child is always a serious crime, even if it is done with the intention of sparing that person suffering later on.  280

By the time a child is…..  ..... 384

 “The diagnosis of disability in the unborn child cannot be a reason for abortion because life with such a disability is also desired and appreciated by God, and here on earth no one can ever be sure that he or she will live without physical or spiritual limitations.”  Pope Benedict XVI, September 28, 2006

People  Abortion Pro Life  Fetus Unborn  By the time a child is.....

383. God alone is Lord over life and death.

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 383

Ave Maria series

Why is abortion unacceptable at any phase in the development of an embryo?

God-given human life is God’s own property; it is sacred from the first moment of its existence and not under the control of any human being.  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5).  [2270-2274, 2322]

Hawaiian ”Mother and Child”, by Charles W Bartlett, painted about 1920.….. 383






God alone is Lord over life and death.  Not even “my” life belongs to me.  Every child, from the moment of conception on, has a right to life.  From his earliest beginnings an unborn human being is a separate person, and no one can infringe upon his rights, not the State, not the doctor, and not even the mother.  The Church’s clarity about this is not a lack of compassion; she means, rather, to point out the irreparable harm that is inflicted on the child who is killed in abortion and on his parents and on society as a whole. Protecting innocent human life is one of the noblest tasks of the State.  If a State evades this responsibility, it undermines the foundations of a rule of law.  323

“God, give us the courage to protect every unborn life.  For the child is God’s greatest gift for the family, for a nation, and for the world.” Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979

“If a human being is no longer safe in his mother’s womb, where in the world can he be safe?”  Phil Bosmans (b. 1922, Belgian priest and writer)

[2270-2274, 2322]

Abortion

2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. (Compare Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae I,1.)⁷²--Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. (Jeremiah 1:5; compare Job 10:8-12; Psalm 22:10-11.)⁷³--CCC

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. (Psalm 139:15.)⁷⁴--CCC

2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law: --CCC

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. (Didache 2,2:SCh 248,148; cf. Ep. Barnabae 19,5:PG 2 777; Ad Diognetum 5,6:PG 2,1173; Tertullian, Apol. 9:PL 1,319-320.)⁷⁵–CCC

God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes. (Gaudium et Spes 51 § 3.)⁷⁶–CCC

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae,"(Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1398.)⁷⁷ "by the very commission of the offense," (Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1314.)⁷⁸ and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. (Compare Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 1323-1324.)⁷⁹ The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society. –CCC

2273 The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation: --CCC

"The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being's right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae III.)⁸⁰–CCC

"The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined. . . . As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child's rights." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae III.)⁸¹–CCC

2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being. –CCC

Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, "if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual. . . . It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence." (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum vitae 1, 2.)⁸²–CCC

IN BRIEF

2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (Gaudium et Spes 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.–CCC

People  Hawaiian Mother and Child

Holy Trinity, fresco by Luca Rossetti da Orta, 1738–9 (St. Gaudenzio Church at Ivrea

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 26, 2019
Lectionary: 57

Reading 1   ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,you cannot be saved."  Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them,it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the othersshould go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and eldersabout this question.

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,decided to choose representativesand to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.  This is the letter delivered by them:

"The apostles and the elders, your brothers,to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Ciliciaof Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our numberwho went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachingsand disturbed your peace of mind,we have with one accord decided to choose representativesand to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So we are sending Judas and Silaswho will also convey this same message by word of mouth:'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of usnot to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,from blood, from meats of strangled animals,and from unlawful marriage.  If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right.  Farewell.'"

 

Responsorial Psalm   PSALM 67:2-3,5,6,8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2   REVelation 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountainand showed me the holy city Jerusalemcoming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God.  Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,like jasper, clear as crystal.  It had a massive, high wall,with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationedand on which names were inscribed,the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.

There were three gates facing east,three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,on which were inscribed the twelve namesof the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
I saw no temple in the cityfor its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.  The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,for the glory of God gave it light,and its lamp was the Lamb.

Alleluia   JOHN 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel   JOHN 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:"Whoever loves me will keep my word,and my Father will love him,and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;yet the word you hear is not minebut that of the Father who sent me.

"I have told you this while I am with you.  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,whom the Father will send in my name,will teach you everythingand remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,'I am going away and I will come back to you.'  If you loved me,you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens,so that when it happens you may believe."

Holy Trinity, fresco by Luca Rossetti 

381. Death penalty

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 381

Ave Maria series

Why is the Church opposed to capital punishment?

he Church is committed to opposing the death penalty because it is “both cruel and unnecessary” (St. John Paul II, St. Louis, January 27, 1999).  [2266-2267]

Mehmet Ali Agca  who shot John Paul II 1981 laid flowers Christmas 2014 the saint's tomb in St. Peter's Basilica.….. 381

Every legitimate State has in principle the right to punish crime appropriately.  In “Evangelium vitae(1995)”, the Pope does not say that the use of the death penalty is in every respect an unacceptable and illegitimate punishment.  To take the life of a criminal is an extreme measure to which the State should resort only “in cases of absolute necessity”.  This necessity arises when the only way to protect human society is by killing the convicted criminal.  But such cases, says Pope John Paul II, “are very rare, if not practically non-existent”.

[2266-2267]        

Legitimate defense

2266 The efforts of the state to curb the spread of behavior harmful to people's rights and to the basic rules of civil society correspond to the requirement of safeguarding the common good. Legitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict punishment proportionate to the gravity of the offense. Punishment has the primary aim of redressing the disorder introduced by the offense. When it is willingly accepted by the guilty party, it assumes the value of expiation. Punishment then, in addition to defending public order and protecting people's safety, has a medicinal purpose: as far as possible, it must contribute to the correction of the guilty party. (Compare Luke 23:40-43.)⁶⁷–Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

2267 Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. –CCC

Pope  Mehmet Ali Agca