Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The 1^st of the 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching is Life and Dignity of the Human Person.

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred, and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, the sale of and research on aborted fetal organs/tissue, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. 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. ~U.S, Conference of Catholic Bishops
 
Psalm 139:13-16 tells us that God formed each of us and knows us intimately. In Luke 10:25-37, the good Samaritan recognized the dignity in the other person and cared for his life.
 
In Pope Francis’ landmark environmental encyclical, Laudato Si’, the Pope emphasized that respect for creation and human dignity go hand in hand. “Since everything is interrelated, concern for the protection of nature is also incompatible with the justification of abortion,” the Pope wrote. “How can we genuinely teach the importance of concern for other vulnerable beings, however troublesome or inconvenient they may be, if we fail to protect a human embryo, even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties?”
 
In September 2021, when asked by American Magazine about “a woman’s right to choose,  Pope Francis stated, “Abortion is not an issue. It’s murder.”
 
The St. Hubert Respect Life Ministry, in response to the Gospel of Life, commits to prayer, education and action in defense of life. It is our mission to foster an awareness of the dignity and sanctity of all human life in our parish community, from conception to natural death. We are dedicated to observing and promoting the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on all life issues, including abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, assisted suicide, and stem cell research. 

• We raise awareness of legislation threatening the sanctity of life and call for action.
• We respond to women in crisis pregnancy situations and help to sustain that new life with spiritual, emotional, and financial support.
• We plan donation drives of baby items and funds to pregnancy help centers.
• Most of all, we pray.

Click here to find out more about our Respect Life ministry or to join.

        The Respect Life Ministry Team