Gospel of Life PHILO

8/4/2019 Gospel of Life PHILO

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An encyclical of Pope John Paul II Presented with great doctrinal authority &episcopal collegiality presented to the Church on 25 March 1995



theme of the first chapter

An analysis of the presentsituation with regard human

life

Abortion Immoral experimentation of human embryos

Euthanasia

crime against life

claimed to be rights based on individual freedom



distortion of society’s nature & purpose

claimed to be rights based on individual freedom

Democracy detached from its moralfoundation

unlimited ethical relativism

subverted health carepersonnel



caused by perverse idea of FREEDOM

disconnected from truth individualistic & no sense of

relational component

priority to HAVING over being

Practical materialism

personal pleasure satisfaction over respect

considers life as worthwhile ONLY whenproductive & enjoyable



considers suffering as useless sacrifice for others as unjustifiable

loss sense of God loss sense of man

perennial conflict b/wlife & death



accepted abandoned children & elder people social consciousness program in support of life

medical personnel generous & respectfulinvolvement sensitivity to bioethical questions & ecology growing aversion to death penalty



Christian message regarding life earthly life bears the seed of

immortal life

Man’s life is the object of God’s

tender & intense love particularly the poor, theweak & defenseless



Christ has taken it up

instrument of salvation for humanity

A gift from creator Reflection of God’s Image

Sublime dignity of human lifeshines forth not only in the lightof origin but more so in the lightof its destiny



Earthly life in never absolute which weshould cling at all cost

Earthly life finds its REAL meaningwhen shared & lived for others even atthe expense of one’s life



from beginning to end Life is

sacred & inviolable

Belongs to God alone can’t be disposed at man’s ownwhim

“From man in regard tohis fellowman (the Lord) willdemand an accounting for

human life” (Gn. 9:5)



has positive implication of lovingeverybody including our enemies

“You shall NOT Kill!”

exemplifies the Gospel of Life

Commandment which DOESNOT limit but given as a Gift

follow the path of respect,service & love of life

encourage positive & constructive

attitude, a commitment in favor of man



has to be distinguished frommorally justifiable self-defense


rare & practicallynonexistent

application of capital punishment



declares that direct & voluntarytaking of all innocent human life as

gravely immoral


applies to abortion & euthanasia

deliberate & direct killing, by whatever meansof a human being in the initial phase of existence,extending from conception to birth

willed as an end or means is gravely immorally



moral judgment alsoapplies to experimentationof human fetuses;

“biological material” providers of organ or tissue fortransplant



an act or omission whichof itself and by intentioncauses death with the

purpose of eliminating allsuffering

medical procedures which no longercorrespond to real situation of thepatient

disproportionate to expected result

must be distinguished from:

Aggressive medical treatment



seek to make suffering morebearable in the final stages of illness applies painkillers & sedatives torelieve patients pain but involves therisks of shortening patient’s life

Methods of

Palliative care



can not take the place of conscience ordictate of moral norms it must ensure common good throughrecognition & defense of fundamentalrights

must be characterized by a moral basisof respect for all specially the rights of theweakest & most defenseless

Different & more limitedthan the moral law

Legitimizing abortion & euthanasialacks authentic juridical validity



consist in proclaiming the joyful

message of the value of life

through celebration of sacraments everyday life must be MEANS of

experiencing joy the gift of life



fulfilled through service of charity

care for the life of everyone profound attitude of solidarity inevery condition & situation

foster mature attitudes & findingsolution which respect life

professional health care,education, social involvement &

political commitment



cultivation of family as “sanctuary of

life”

new lifestyle which respect for thedignity of every individual

recognize the value of humansexuality in the development of a person accept mysterious meaning of huamnsuffering & death

culture of life



entrusted to WOMEN in

particular to be guardians of value of life

demands of “new feminism” free from individualism

Gospel of Life PHILO

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