Part Three: Life in Christ › Section Two of Part Three: The Ten Commandments ›› CHAPTER 2: You Shall Love Your Neighbour ››› Article 5: The Fifth Commandment

› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

2298. What is the fifth commandment? (CCC 2258) The fifth commandment is: “You shall not kill.”
2299. Why is human life sacred? (CCC 2258) Human life is sacred, because:
1. from its beginning it involves the creative action of God
2. it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end.
2300. When does respect for human life become an issue for the first time? (CCC 2259) Respect for human life becomes for the first time an issue in the account of Abel’s murder by his brother Cain (Gen 4).
2301. What does blood signify in the Old Testament? (CCC 2260) In the Old Testament blood signifies life.
2302. To what is the deliberate murder of an innocent gravely contrary? (CCC 2261) The deliberate murder of an innocent is gravely contrary to:
1. the dignity of the human being
2. the golden rule
3. the holiness of the Creator.
The “golden rule” is written down in Mt 7:12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.”
2303. What does it mean that the law forbidding murder is universally valid? (CCC 2261) That the law forbidding murder is universally valid means that it obliges each and everyone, always and everywhere.
2304. What does Christ add to the commandment “You shall not kill”? (CCC 2262) Christ adds to the commandment “You shall not kill”:
1. the proscription of anger, hatred and vengeance
2. the call to turn the other cheek and to love the enemy.
2305. What double effect can the legitimate act of self-defence have? (CCC 2263) The legitimate act of self-defence can have the double effect of:
1. the intended preservation of one’s own life
2. the unintentional killing of the aggressor.
2306. Why is it legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life? (CCC 2264) It is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life, because love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality.
2307. For whom is legitimate defence a grave duty? (CCC 2265) Legitimate defence is a grave duty for the one who is responsible for the lives of others.
The defence of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm.
2308. Why is the state allowed to punish proportionate to the gravity of an offence? (CCC 2266) The state is allowed to punish proportionate to the gravity of an offence because of its obligation to safeguard the common good.
2309. What is the primary aim of punishment? (CCC 2266) The primary aim of punishment is to redress the disorder introduced by an offence.
2310. When is recourse to the death penalty legitimate? (CCC 2267) Recourse to the death penalty is legitimate, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against an unjust aggressor and of protecting the safety of persons.
2311. Why are cases requiring death penalty today rare, if not practically nonexistent? (CCC 2267) Cases requiring death penalty are today very rare if not practically nonexistent because of the possibilities that the state has for effectively preventing crime without killing the one who has committed an offence.
2312. What is direct and intentional killing? (CCC 2268) Direct and intentional killing is the deliberate and premeditated murder of an innocent.
2313. What is indirect and intentional killing? (CCC 2269) Indirect and intentional killing is taking somebody’s life by:
1. exposing him to mortal danger without grave reason or
2. refusing assistance to a person in danger.
2314. What is unintentional killing? (CCC 2269) Unintentional killing is taking somebody’s life without wanting to do so.
2315. From what moment on must human life be respected and protected absolutely? (CCC 2270) Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
2316. From what moment on must a human being be recognized as a person? (CCC 2270) A human being must be recognized as a person from the first moment of his existence.
2317. What is direct abortion? (CCC 2271) Direct abortion is an abortion willed either as an end or a means.
2318. How must direct abortion be qualified morally? (CCC 2271) Direct abortion must morally be qualified as gravely contrary to the moral law.
2319. How does Gaudium et Spes 51 call abortion? (CCC 2271) Gaudium et Spes 51 calls abortion an abominable crime.
Gaudium et Spes is a Vatican II document, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.
2320. What ecclesiastical penalty does a person who procures an abortion incur? (CCC 2272) A person who procures an abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae.
“latae sententiae” means that the excommunication enters into force by the very commission of the offence.
2321. On what does every man’s right to life from conception until death depend? (CCC 2273) Every man’s right to life from conception until death depends on the very human nature.
2322. Why does a state that allows abortion undermine its own legal foundations? (CCC 2273) A state that allows abortion undermines its own legal foundations, because abortion denies the equality of all before the law, in particular of the more vulnerable.
2323. When is prenatal diagnosis morally licit? (CCC 2274) Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and is directed toward its safeguarding or healing as an individual and there is no thought of possibly inducing an abortion on the basis of the results obtained.
2324. Is it licit to produce human embryos for exploitation as biological material? (CCC 2275) No, it is not licit and is immoral to produce human embryos for exploitation as biological material.
2325. What is direct euthanasia? (CCC 2277) Direct euthanasia is the putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons.
Direct euthanasia is morally unacceptable.
2326. What life-saving medical procedures may the doctor discontinue? (CCC 2278) The doctor may discontinue life-saving medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome.
By discontinuing medical procedures one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted.
2327. When may painkillers be used which risk shortening the days of a patient? (CCC 2279) Painkillers which risk shortening the days of a patient may be used if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable.
2328. Why are we not allowed to dispose of our life? (CCC 2280) We are not allowed to dispose of our life, because we are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us.
2329. Why is suicide objectively a grave sin? (CCC 2281) Suicide is objectively a grave sin, because it is gravely contrary to:
1. the just love of self
2. the love of one’s neighbour with whom it unjustly breaks the ties
3. love for the living God.
2330. In what case can the responsibility of the one committing suicide be diminished? (CCC 2282) The responsibility of the one committing suicide can be diminished in the case of grave psychological disturbances, anguish or grave fear of hardship, suffering or torture.
2331. What does the Church do for those who have taken their own lives? (CCC 2283) The Church prays for those who have taken their own lives.
2332. How can one classify the areas which respect for the dignity of persons concerns? (CCC 2284-2301) One can classify the areas which respect for the dignity of persons concerns as:
1. the souls of others
2. the human health
3. the person in scientific research
4. bodily integrity
5. the dead.
2333. What is scandal? (CCC 2284) Scandal is an attitude or behaviour which leads another to do evil and thus damages virtue and integrity.
2334. When is there a grave scandal? (CCC 2285) There is a grave scandal when the scandal is given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others.
2335. How should we take care of our life and physical health? (CCC 2288) We should take reasonable care of our life and physical health, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.
2336. Why does the virtue of temperance contribute to respect for health? (CCC 2290) The virtue of temperance contributes to respect for health, because it disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine.
2337. Under what condition are science and technology precious resources? (CCC 2293) Science and technology are precious resources under the condition that they are placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all.
2338. How must the claim of moral neutrality in scientific research be judged? (CCC 2294) The claim of moral neutrality in scientific research must be judged as an illusion.
2339. When is experimentation on human beings immoral? (CCC 2295) Experimentation on human beings is immoral when it exposes the subject’s life or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable risks.
2340. When are organ transplants morally acceptable? (CCC 2296) Organ transplants are morally acceptable when the physical and psychological dangers and risks incurred by the donor are proportionate to the good that is sought for the recipient.
2341. How is organ donation after death to be judged morally? (CCC 2296) Organ donation after death is to be judged morally as a meritorious act that is to be encouraged.
2342. When is organ donation after death morally not acceptable? (CCC 2296) Organ donation after death is morally not acceptable when the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent.
2343. What are the crimes against the respect of bodily integrity? (CCC 2297) The crimes against the respect of bodily integrity are:
1. kidnapping and hostage taking
2. terrorism
3. torture
4. amputations, mutilations and sterilizations which are not performed for strictly therapeutic reasons.
2344. How is respect for the dying person shown? (CCC 2299) Respect for the dying person is shown by:
1. the giving of care and attention
2. the prayers of relatives
3. provision of the last rites.
2345. How must the bodies of the dead be treated? (CCC 2300) The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection.
2346. Under what circumstances can autopsies be morally permitted? (CCC 2301) Autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research.
2347. Under what condition does the Church permit cremation? (CCC 2301) The Church permits cremation under the condition that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.
2348. Why does the observation of the fifth commandment help in safeguarding peace? (CCC 2302) The observation of the fifth commandment helps in safeguarding peace, because it promotes peace of heart and denounces murderous anger and hatred as immoral.
2349. What is anger? (CCC 2302) Anger is a desire for revenge.
2350. What is hatred? (CCC 2303) Hatred is to wish evil on somebody.
2351. How is peace defined according to St Augustine? (CCC 2304) According to St Augustine († 430), peace is defined as the tranquillity of order.
2352. Why is earthly peace related to the peace of Christ? (CCC 2305) Earthly peace is related to the peace of Christ, because it is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ.
2353. Why does the Church pray and act so that God may free us from war? (CCC 2307) The Church prays and acts so that God may free us from war because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war.
2354. What are the four strict conditions for legitimate defence by military force? (CCC 2309) The four strict conditions for legitimate defence by military force are at one and the same time:
1. the damage inflicted by the aggressor must be lasting, grave and certain
2. all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective
3. there must be serious prospects of success
4. the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.
These are the elements that form the “just war” doctrine.
2355. When may the obligations necessary for national defence be imposed on citizens? (CCC 2310) The obligations necessary for national defence may be imposed on citizens only when the four strict conditions for legitimate defence subsist.
2356. Is the moral law valid during an armed conflict? (CCC 2312) Yes, the moral law is valid during an armed conflict.
2357. What are war crimes? (CCC 2313) War crimes are actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles.
2358. Why does the arms race not ensure peace? (CCC 2315) The arms race does not ensure peace, because instead of eliminating the causes of war, it risks aggravating them.
2359. What are the causes of wars and threats to peace? (CCC 2317) The causes of wars and threats to peace are injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust and pride raging among men and nations.