Catechism index

2301 II. Respect for the Dignity of Persons Autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research. the free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious. The Church permits cremation, provided that it does …
2302 III. Safeguarding Peace By recalling the commandment, "You shall not kill," 93 our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral. Anger is a desire for revenge. "To desire …
2303 III. Safeguarding Peace Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him …
2304 III. Safeguarding Peace Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot …
2305 III. Safeguarding Peace Earthly peace is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ, the messianic "Prince of Peace." 99 By the blood of his Cross, "in his own person he killed the hostility," …
2306 III. Safeguarding Peace Those who renounce violence and bloodshed and, in order to safeguard human rights, make use of those means of defense available to the weakest, bear witness to evangelical charity, provided they do …
2307 III. Safeguarding Peace The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action so that …
2308 III. Safeguarding Peace All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. However, "as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary …
2309 III. Safeguarding Peace The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. the gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same …
2310 III. Safeguarding Peace Public authorities, in this case, have the right and duty to impose on citizens the obligations necessary for national defense. Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces …
2311 III. Safeguarding Peace Public authorities should make equitable provision for those who for reasons of conscience refuse to bear arms; these are nonetheless obliged to serve the human community in some other way. 107
2312 III. Safeguarding Peace The Church and human reason both assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflict. "The mere fact that war has regrettably broken out does not mean that everything becomes …
2313 III. Safeguarding Peace Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and treated humanely. Actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes, as are the orders that command …
2314 III. Safeguarding Peace "Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation." 109 …
2315 III. Safeguarding Peace The accumulation of arms strikes many as a paradoxically suitable way of deterring potential adversaries from war. They see it as the most effective means of ensuring peace among nations. This method …
2316 III. Safeguarding Peace The production and the sale of arms affect the common good of nations and of the international community. Hence public authorities have the right and duty to regulate them. the short-term pursuit …
2317 III. Safeguarding Peace Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace …
2318 IN BRIEF "In [God's] hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10).
2319 IN BRIEF Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and …
2320 IN BRIEF The murder of a human being is gravely contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the Creator.