The dignity of human life

The first account of creation in Genesis says God made man to his own image and likeness, male and female. In the literal sense it states the origin of man’s dominion and dignity. It bears on the teaching that human life is sacred because man is made in the image of God.

And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.

After the flood God tells Noe that he will require the life of man at every man’s hand, and that whoever sheds man’s blood shall have his blood shed, “for man was made to the image of God.” The reason given is the image. It bears on the teaching that life belongs to God and that to take an innocent life is a grave offence.

For I will require the blood of your lives at the hand of every beast, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man, and of his brother, will I require the life of man. Whosoever shall shed man's blood, his blood shall be shed: for man was made to the image of God.

The fifth commandment of the Decalogue forbids killing, and a later text of Exodus forbids putting to death the innocent and just person. The second text specifies the first. It bears on the teaching that the killing of the innocent is always forbidden.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt fly lying. The innocent and just person thou shalt not put to death: because I abhor the wicked.

The psalmist praises God who protected him from his mother’s womb, made him in secret, and saw his imperfect being. The Church cites these verses in her teaching on the unborn. It bears on the teaching that God knows and holds each human life from its beginning.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother's womb. I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well. My bone is not hidden from thee, which thou hast made in secret: and my substance in the lower parts of the earth. Thy eyes did see my imperfect being, and in thy book all shall be written: days shall be formed, and no one in them.

God tells Jeremias that before he formed him in the womb he knew him, and before he came forth he sanctified him. In the literal sense it speaks of the prophet’s own vocation; the Church also reads it of God’s knowledge of each person before birth. It bears on the sanctity of life from its beginning.

Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and made thee a prophet unto the nations.

Wisdom teaches that God made not death, nor takes pleasure in the destruction of the living, and that he created man incorruptible, to the image of his own likeness. It bears on the teaching that God is the Lord of life and that life comes from his creative act.

For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.

For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him.

In Romans the Apostle calls the ruler God’s minister, who bears not the sword in vain and is an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. The Fathers and theologians cite it for the authority given to the state to punish. It bears on the teaching that legitimate authority may punish in proportion to the offence.

For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

In Luke Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost, hears Mary’s salutation and the infant leaps in her womb for joy. The evangelist narrates the child’s response to the presence of the Lord. It bears on the teaching that the unborn child is already a person before birth.

And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord recalls the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” and extends the judgment to anger against a brother. He does not abolish the commandment but perfects it. It bears on the teaching that the precept protects the neighbour’s life and forbids what leads to killing.

You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.