The Church teaches that as we are all made in the image and likeness of God, that every human life is sacred. We should respect and revere every human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Hence, we oppose under any circumstances, artificial contraception, abortion, euthanasia otherwise known as mercy killings.
With regards to capital punishment, the teaching of the Church is constantly being refined, becoming ever more explicit as the Church grows in experience and wisdom. In 1997, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was revised to express a more precise understanding of the propriety of the death penalty. The Catechism states:
"If … non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person. "
The teaching of the Catholic Church on the use of capital punishment is constantly being refined, becoming ever more explicit as the Church grows in experience and wisdom. In 1997, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was revised to express a more precise understanding of the propriety of the death penalty. First articulated by Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, this principle declares that modern society has the means of protecting itself and preserving the common good without the necessity of capital punishment. The Holy Father’s words are more a development in the use of the state’s right rather than a change in the teaching of the Church on the state’s right. The Catechism states:
If … non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person. 11
- See more at: http://www.pacatholic.org/bishops-statements/death-penalty-choose-life/#sthash.C2XuTyGb.dpufThe primary activity of this ministry is to support and organize St. Luke's participation in the annual Life Chain on Gause Boulevard and the Life March at the state capital in Baton Rouge.
There are no qualifications or age limits to help in this ministry. A love of God and your fellow humans is all that is needed.