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Life
and Dignity of the Human Person
CSWNA proclaims that human life is sacred and that the
dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral
vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life
and the inherent dignity of the human person is the
foundation of all the principles of the Catholic Church’s
social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct
attack from abortion and assisted suicide. The value of
human life is being threatened by increasing use of the
death penalty. We believe that every person is precious,
that people are more important than things, and that the
measure of every institution is whether it threatens or
enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we
organize our society in economics and politics, in law and
policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of
individuals to grow in community. The family is the central
social institution that must be supported and strengthened,
not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to
participate in society, seeking together the common good and
well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Rights and Responsibilities
CSWNA believes that human dignity can be protected and a
healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are
protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every
person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those
things required for human decency. Corresponding to these
rights are duties and responsibilities to one another, to
our families, and to the larger society.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are
faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between
rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last
Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of
the poor and vulnerable first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
The economy must serve people, not the other way around.
Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of
continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity
of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers
must be respected the right to productive work, to decent
and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private
property, and to economic initiative.
Solidarity
We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they
live. We are one human family, whatever our national,
racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.
Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning
that "loving our neighbor" has global dimensions in an
interdependent world.
Care for God's Creation
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of
creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day
slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to
protect people and the planet, living our faith in
relationship with all of God's creation. This environmental
challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that
cannot be ignored.
United States Conference Catholic Bishops,
www.usccb.org |
