About Reverence for Life
We hold life sacred from conception to natural death. We support policies and services that assist pregnant women to make life-affirming choices. We advocate for restrictions on the practice and public funding of abortion. We support stem cell research that does not destroy or clone human embryos. We support patient-focused, quality end-of-life care and oppose legalizing assisted suicide. We oppose the use of the death penalty.
Abortion & Procreation
From both divine revelation and natural law, we know that there is something special about human life. We are made in the image of God. Protection of human life and dignity is a natural instinct of all people and stands at the core of Catholic social teaching.
Click here for articles, resources and more on abortion and procreation.Death Penalty
Consistency in the abhorrence of violence is the hallmark of the Church's teaching on the death penalty. In the Culture of Life and the Death Penalty the U.S. Bishops also point to the fact that state-sanctioned killing diminishes us all, the application of capital punishment is flawed and inconsistent, and that the state has other ways of punishing criminals.
Articles and information on the death penalty are available here.
Bioethics
In June 2009,the U.S. Bishops issued On Embryonic Stem Cell Research which deals with both stem cells and cloning. Many find it difficult to understand why, with such noble goals and promises, embryos can't be used as a source of cells.
End-of-Life
If those who are dying are embraced by their family and their community, they will not seek death, but will live their last days well, and then accept death when it comes.