32. In defense of human life

32. IN DEFENSE OF HUMAN LIFE WE ARE COMMANDED TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE GIFT OF HUMAN LIFE AT ALL OF ITS STAGES Compendium 466-486 Dt 5:17 Matthew 5:9 1. "Thou shalt not kill" unequivocally forbids the taking of human life from conception to natural death. Jesus desires abundant life for everyone because each one is created in God’s image and likeness and destined to eternal friendship with the Trinity. This is the complete Gospel message. All lives are equally sacred and infinitely important to God. 2. Those who have the responsibility for the lives of others must defend themselves and those entrusted to their care. But self-defense must exclude rage and disproportionate force. 3. Capital punishment is practically impossible to justify in most societies and punishment must be proportionate to the crime. 4. The right to life is not endowed by the state but rather is a gift and commandment of abundant life from the Creator God. 5. Blessed are the peacemakers: War must be avoided vigorously by eliminating economic and social injustice and discrimination and only a last resort in defense against serious and sustained unjust aggression. 6. Mass destruction and genocide are crimes against humanity. 7. Conscientious objectors must be permitted to perform alternate community service. 8. Prisoners of war, wounded soldiers, and innocent civilians must be treated humanely and orders to the contrary must not be obeyed. 9. It is legitimate to use drugs to manage pain but not to hasten death. 10. Organ transplants and experimental treatments must have informed consent of the patients. 11. Ordinary medical care must not be withheld and euthanasia is forbidden. 12. The dying must be supported by loving care, prayer and the sacraments. 13. God demonstrates the infinite value and beauty of human life by becoming human, living among us and remaining with us and his resurrection and Ascension promise that our human bodies are just as eternal as our souls. Even the most unfortunate human being in this life is heir to that magnificent and consoling promise that makes even the most difficult life worth living. Jesus has filled every emptiness, illuminated every darkness, accompanied every solitude, annulled every suffering, cancelled every sin.