YOUCAT Question n. 379 – Part IX. What sorts of attacks on human life are forbidden by the Fifth Commandment?
(Youcat
answer - repeated) Murder and acting as an accomplice to murder are forbidden.
Killing unarmed civilians during a war is forbidden. The abortion of a human
being, from the moment of conception on, is forbidden. Suicide,
self-mutilation, and self-destructive behavior are forbidden. Euthanasia — killing the handicapped, the sick,
and the dying — is also forbidden.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 2322) From its conception, the child has the right to life.
Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a
"criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law.
The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime
against human life. (CCC 2323) Because it
should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in
its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) Today people often try to get around the
Fifth Commandment with seemingly humane arguments. But neither euthanasia nor
abortion is a humane solution. That is why the Church is perfectly clear on
these questions. Whoever participates in an abortion, forces a woman to undergo
an abortion, or merely advises her to do so is automatically excommunicated
just as with other crimes against human life. If a psychologically ill person
commits suicide, responsibility for the act of killing is often diminished and
in many cases completely annulled.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 2324) Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or
motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person
and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. (CCC 2325) Suicide is seriously contrary to justice, hope, and
charity. It is forbidden by the fifth commandment.
(The next question is: Why is it permissible to tolerate the killing of another human being in the case of legitimate self-defense?)
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