United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

400 • Part III. Christian Morality: The Faith Lived

supporting their loved one through the final stages of life’s journey, are also essential parts of the process of Christian dying. The Church, through her ministers, also accompanies the dying person through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Viaticum , and Prayers for the Dying. FOR DISCUSSION 1. How can individuals and families promote respect for life and the value of life in the world today? 2. How can Catholics promote peace and understanding in the face of terrorism and violence in the world today? 3. What are root causes of the culture of death? How can we promote the value of human life in all its stages in contrast to abortion, eutha nasia, and capital punishment? DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS • God’s creative action is present to every human life and is thus the source of its sacred value. Each human life remains in a relationship with God, who is the final goal of every man and woman. God alone is the Lord of human life from its beginning to its end. • “The deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human being, to the golden rule, and to the holi ness of the Creator” (CCC, no. 2261). • “The prohibition of murder does not abrogate the right to render an unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm” (CCC, no. 2321). • Direct abortion is the intended destruction of an unborn child and is an act gravely contrary to the moral law and the holiness of the Creator. • Euthanasia consists in putting to death the sick, the disabled, or the dying. Regardless of the motives or means, it is never morally permissible. • Physician-assisted suicide is suicide performed with the aid of a doc tor. The emergence of physician-assisted suicide, popularized by the