Topic: Sanctity of Life
Resources in this topic
Bioethics in Brief: Principle of Double Effect
Other Resources
April 16, 2022
What is the ‘Principle of Double Effect’? When making a moral decision, we often treat side-effects of our actions differently from effects we intend. For example, when giving criticism, we think it more problematic morally to hurt the person intentionally than merely to foresee that our words will cause them pain. Sometimes we tolerate even
Position Paper of the Abrahamic Monotheistic Religions on Matters Concerning the End of Life
Other Resources
October 28, 2019
Representatives from the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and the Jewish and Muslim faiths signed a joint declaration at the Vatican reaffirming each religion’s clear opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Pope Francis met with the signatories on 28 October 2019 when they presented him with a copy they had signed earlier that day. They include
Declaration on Euthanasia
Magisterial Documents
May 5, 1980
Description In response to questions asked by ‘a number of Episcopal Conferences’, this document sets out the Church’s teaching on euthanasia. Note the date which is prior to moves in the Netherlands for the legal toleration of euthanasia. It is in four sections: I. Human life is the basis of all human goods and all
Evangelium Vitae: On the Value and Inviolability of Human Life
Magisterial Documents
March 25, 1995
Description This Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II is the fruit of the cooperation of the Episcopate of every country of the world, and was intended as a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability in the face of new threats to human life. It is structured in