Catholic Teaching on the Dignity of Human Life

For the Church, there is no distinction between defending human life and promoting the dignity of the human person.

Pope Benedict XVI writes in Caritas in Veritate. . . that:

"The Church forcefully maintains this link between life ethics and social ethics, fully aware that 'a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized.'" (no. 15).

The Vatican Statement on Social Justice
 

October is Respect Life Month.  Below are informational pamphlets on specific areas of the Catholic teaching on issues of life and promotion of human dignity.