Friday, April 19, 2013
470. What is forbidden by the fifth commandment? (part 1)
(Comp 470) The fifth commandment forbids as gravely contrary to the moral law: *
direct and intentional murder and cooperation in it; * direct abortion, willed
as an end or as means, as well as cooperation in it. Attached to this sin is
the penalty of excommunication because, from the moment of his or her
conception, the human being must be absolutely respected and protected in his
integrity; * direct euthanasia which consists in putting an end to the life of
the handicapped, the sick, or those near death by an act or by the omission of
a required action; * suicide and voluntary cooperation in it, insofar as it is
a grave offense against the just love of God, of self, and of neighbor. One’s
responsibility may be aggravated by the scandal given; one who is
psychologically disturbed or is experiencing grave fear may have diminished
responsibility.
“In brief”
(CCC 2318) "In [God's] hand
is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job
12:10). (CCC 2319) 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 holy
God.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2268) The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as
gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder
commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance (Cf. Gen 4:10). Infanticide
(Cf. GS 51 § 3), fratricide, parricide, and the murder of a spouse are
especially grave crimes by reason of the natural bonds which they break.
Concern for eugenics or public health cannot justify any murder, even if commanded
by public authority.
Reflection
(CCC 2269) The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with
the intention of indirectly bringing about a person's death. The moral law
prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as
refusing assistance to a person in danger. The acceptance by human society of
murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice
and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the
hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit
homicide, which is imputable to them (Cf. Am 8:4-10). Unintentional
killing is not morally imputable. But one is not exonerated from grave offense
if, without proportionate reasons, he has acted in a way that brings about
someone's death, even without the intention to do so. [IT CONTINUES]
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