Sanctity of Human Life

The sanctity of human life is the principle that human life is sacred from conception to natural death — a gift from God that belongs to God and may not be deliberately taken by human hands, except in cases of legitimate self-defense or just war (CCC 2258–2262).

The Fifth Commandment

"You shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13). The Church interprets this commandment as protecting innocent human life — every innocent person has an inalienable right to life, and deliberately taking innocent life is gravely wrong. The commandment prohibits not only the act of killing but all that threatens life: hatred, unjust anger, and indifference to others' suffering (CCC 2268–2269).

From Conception to Natural Death

The Church teaches that human life deserves protection at every stage: from the moment of conception (opposing abortion and embryonic experimentation), through all stages of life (opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide), and at the end of life (supporting palliative care and natural death). Life is always a gift to be received and cared for, never a burden to be disposed of (CCC 2270–2283).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Church teach about the death penalty? The Catechism teaches that the death penalty is "inadmissible" — the Church's current position holds that it violates human dignity and that modern society has other means of protecting itself. This represents a development in the Church's understanding, not a reversal of absolute principle (CCC 2267).

Is euthanasia ever permitted? No. The Church distinguishes between euthanasia — the deliberate ending of life to relieve suffering — and the legitimate withholding of extraordinary means of treatment. The first is always gravely wrong; the second can be morally acceptable (CCC 2276–2279).