Fifth Commandment
The Fifth Commandment: YOU SHALL NOT KILL.
“Human life is sacred” because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.
Murder, manslaughter and assault violate the personal rights of others to life. Acts of legitimate self-defense, defense of others, warfare, executions for crime, corporal punishment, surgery, vaccination and anesthesia are allowed if they are reasonably necessary to protect life. However, the commandment is violated in immoral [direct and intentional killing] or in the inflicting of bodily harm upon self or other human beings.
I. Value Protected. The Church Teaching protects dignity and value of human persons and their right to life.
a. Respect for human life.
b. The fundamental value protected is not only the value of physical life, but also the quality of life and respect for the dignity of the human person.
i. Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.
II. Legitimate Defense
Legitimate defense is depicted as justifiable, even if the defender deals his aggressor a lethal blow. However, a man should not use more force than necessary to repel an attack. The legitimate defense of persons and societies should not be considered as an exception to the prohibition of murdering the innocent: the preservation of innocent life is seen as the intended outcome. Injury or death to the aggressor is not the intended outcome, it is the unfortunate consequence of using necessary force to repel an imminent threat.
III. Particular Offenses against Life
a. Drug Abuse. The use of drugs imposes very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a
“Human life is sacred” because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.
Murder, manslaughter and assault violate the personal rights of others to life. Acts of legitimate self-defense, defense of others, warfare, executions for crime, corporal punishment, surgery, vaccination and anesthesia are allowed if they are reasonably necessary to protect life. However, the commandment is violated in immoral [direct and intentional killing] or in the inflicting of bodily harm upon self or other human beings.
I. Value Protected. The Church Teaching protects dignity and value of human persons and their right to life.
a. Respect for human life.
b. The fundamental value protected is not only the value of physical life, but also the quality of life and respect for the dignity of the human person.
i. Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.
II. Legitimate Defense
Legitimate defense is depicted as justifiable, even if the defender deals his aggressor a lethal blow. However, a man should not use more force than necessary to repel an attack. The legitimate defense of persons and societies should not be considered as an exception to the prohibition of murdering the innocent: the preservation of innocent life is seen as the intended outcome. Injury or death to the aggressor is not the intended outcome, it is the unfortunate consequence of using necessary force to repel an imminent threat.
III. Particular Offenses against Life
a. Drug Abuse. The use of drugs imposes very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a