rh bill-ethicomoral aspects

EthicalEthicalEthicalEthical----Moral Explanation & Moral Explanation & Moral Explanation & Moral Explanation & Defense of Current Questions Defense of Current Questions Defense of Current Questions Defense of Current Questions on Reproductive Healthon Reproductive Healthon Reproductive Healthon Reproductive Health

� The true meaning and value of: ◦ Human Life

◦ Human Sexuality, Marriage and Responsible Parenthood

◦ World Crisis and Christian Solution to Humanity’s Poverty & Suffering

By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc. By Dr. Liza C. Manalo, MSc.

Bioethics LecturerBioethics LecturerBioethics LecturerBioethics LecturerBioethics LecturerBioethics LecturerBioethics LecturerBioethics Lecturer

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� John Paul II, Evangelium vitae

Fundamental Moral TruthFundamental Moral TruthFundamental Moral TruthFundamental Moral Truth

Natural Moral Law affirms:Natural Moral Law affirms:Natural Moral Law affirms:Natural Moral Law affirms:

� the sacred value of human life from its very beginning (at fertilization) until its end (natural death)

� the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree

� Upon the recognition of this right to life, every human community and the political community itself are founded.


� Each man receives his right to life directlydirectlydirectlydirectly from God, not from his parents, or from society, or from government.

� The Creator/God alone ---He exclusively---has perfect dominion over human life in general and over that of each man in particular.

The Inviolability of The Inviolability of The Inviolability of The Inviolability of Human LifeHuman LifeHuman LifeHuman Life

� Adeva, Medical & Sexual Ethics, 1990

The Incomparable Worth of the The Incomparable Worth of the The Incomparable Worth of the The Incomparable Worth of the Human PersonHuman PersonHuman PersonHuman Person

� Only God has perfect dominion over man because:

◦ God is creator and conserver of life

◦ Above all, God is man’s last end

� In God, man finds his ultimate reason for being, his highest realization and perfection, and his supreme happiness.



� Paul VI, Vatican Council II, Gaudium et spes

� Hence, man is not lord of his own self; he is accountable to Another.

� There is no oneThere is no oneThere is no oneThere is no one, no man, no human authority, (not State, nor family, nor mankind), that can directly dispose, as being lords over it, of the integrity or life of any innocent man, for any reason. God alone can do that.

� And God does not do it by destroyingdestroyingdestroyingdestroying life, as man does, but by callingcallingcallingcalling it to a higher life.


� It is intrinsically evil and contrary to natural and divine positive law.

� It admits of NO EXCEPTION whatsoever, neither on account of rank of the authorities initiating it, nor the reasons that may be alleged, be they hatred or false mercy.


� Whatever practices attempt against life is inherently degrading and to the highest degree offensive to God’s honor.


� All exceptions are gravely illicit, for the sacred worth or dignity of human life does not depend, according to quantitative measures of “ more or less,” on the level of perfection of its qualities, e.g., the biological, intellectual, or social worth of the subject

� Rather it indivisiblyindivisiblyindivisiblyindivisibly rests on its origin and end: on God.


� At the personal level, all men are fundamentally all men are fundamentally all men are fundamentally all men are fundamentally equalequalequalequal, “because, endowed as they are with a rational soul and created in God’s image, all men have the same nature and the same origin. And because having been redeemed by Christ, they benefit from the same calling and the same destiny.”


The Dignity of the Human Person The Dignity of the Human Person The Dignity of the Human Person The Dignity of the Human Person

� In synthesis the essential elements of human sexuality are:◦ The sexual instinct or tendency

� is innate (inborn)

� is theological (ordained towards an end---procreation)

� transcends psychology (ordained towards another person away from self)

� does not need intelligence but is regulated by it

� Monge, Ethical Practices in Health & Disease, 1991

� Man is sexual. However, he has other qualities besides being sexual. Though always present, sexuality is not everything.

� Monge, Ethical Practices in Health & Disease, 1991

� Sex is an objective reality in accord with God’s plan for man; therefore it is good in itself.

� However, it must be subject to moral norms just as anything worthwhile remains within the just limits of the spirit.

Monge, Ethical Practices in Health & Disease, 1991

� The first principle of sexual life is: marriage is the marriage is the marriage is the marriage is the only natural way willed by God wherein sexual life only natural way willed by God wherein sexual life only natural way willed by God wherein sexual life only natural way willed by God wherein sexual life may be exercised morally.may be exercised morally.may be exercised morally.may be exercised morally.

� The only "place" in which this self-giving in its whole truth is made possible is marriage, the covenant of conjugal love freely and consciously chosen, whereby man and woman accept the intimate community of life and love willed by God Himself.


John Paul II, Familiaris consortio

Sanctity of MarriageSanctity of MarriageSanctity of MarriageSanctity of Marriage

� Matrimony was not instituted or restored by man but by God.

� God is the Author of the perpetual stability of the marriage bond, its unity and its firmness.

� Hence these laws cannot be subject to any human decrees or to any contrary pact even of the spouses themselves.

� Pope Pius XI, Casti connubii

� Sexuality is the biological vehicle for self-giving between man and woman in marriage. However, human love involves everything---all the dimensions of “being,”– including the affective and spiritual.

� Sexuality ought to be at the service of the Sexuality ought to be at the service of the Sexuality ought to be at the service of the Sexuality ought to be at the service of the person.person.person.person.


The primary end of marriage is the The primary end of marriage is the The primary end of marriage is the The primary end of marriage is the procreation and the education of procreation and the education of procreation and the education of procreation and the education of childrenchildrenchildrenchildren

� The sexual instinct is ordained essentially to the propagation of the species, to the transmission of life.

� The The The The unitiveunitiveunitiveunitive and and and and procreative procreative procreative procreative aspects of aspects of aspects of aspects of sexual love must not be separated.sexual love must not be separated.sexual love must not be separated.sexual love must not be separated.

� Paul VI, Humanae vitae

� Code of Canon Law, c. 1013 & 7

� Everything directly related to the transmission of life participates in the creative power of participates in the creative power of participates in the creative power of participates in the creative power of God. God. God. God.

� Consequently, it should be treated with respect and responsibility.


� Knowledge of biological mechanisms “must lead to education in self-control” (John Paul II, Familiaris consortio): hence, the absolute necessity of the virtue of chastity and of permanent education in this virtue.


� If we consider the relevant physical, economic, psychological and social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised by:◦ those who prudently and generously decide to have a large family, or

◦ those who, for serious reasons and with due respect for the Moral Law, choose not to have children for the time being or even for an indeterminate period

� - Paul VI, Humane vitae

� Decision to limit the number of children will depend on:◦ The existence of proportionately grave reasons---medical, eugenic, economic, social, etc.---for avoiding the birth of another child; and◦ Respect for the Moral Law while searching for the most adequate means of avoiding birth.


Adeva, Medical & Sexual Ethics, 1990

� The characteristic sign of a Christian couple is their generous openness to accept from God children as gift of love” (John Paul II, Homily, Oct 1979) as opposed to having a “contraceptive mentality.”

� Amongst the blessings of marriage, the child holds the first place.

� Pius XI, Casti connubii

� However, this does NOT mean that we should have the attitude of ““““natalismnatalismnatalismnatalism”””” at all costat all costat all costat all cost, as if the “number” of children, in itself, were the unmistakable sign of authentic Christian matrimonial life. What matters is the integrity and honesty of married life.

� - St. Josemaria Escriva

Licitness is not in the number Licitness is not in the number Licitness is not in the number Licitness is not in the number

Success can be taughtSuccess can be taughtSuccess can be taughtSuccess can be taught

� The process starts with making people understand that each of uschoose to be victims or victors.

� Poverty is more than a lack of income. It is also the consequencPoverty is more than a lack of income. It is also the consequencPoverty is more than a lack of income. It is also the consequencPoverty is more than a lack of income. It is also the consequence of e of e of e of specific behaviors and decisions.specific behaviors and decisions.specific behaviors and decisions.specific behaviors and decisions.

� The real long term solution to poverty is not achieved by mere luck and circumstance. It is achieved by a string of decisions.

� Set backs in life happen, but there is no special formula that magically brings prosperity and wealth.

� It is the core belief that we, the people, have the power to overcome wrongs, injustices, and disasters.

� It is the fundamental knowledge that we ultimately have power over ourselves, our lives, and our pursuit of happiness.

- Reese, Nov, 2008

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/262211

� 1st step in helping people rise from despair: instill instill instill instill self worth. self worth. self worth. self worth. ◦ There is no self worth or self dignity found in a dole-out.� This does not mean that we don't lend a helping hand; this means that the helping hand must be accompanied by true compassion that is not attached to our own personal agenda for the individuals we claim we want to help.

◦ The first step is by far the toughest. Victory over victim-hood does not occur overnight, and people have to want that personal victory before they can find the will to fight forpersonal success.

- Reese, Nov, 2008

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/262211

2nd: Simply teach the odds to people each year, from 3rd grade through high school graduation, as to who are the poor:

� High school dropHigh school dropHigh school dropHigh school drop----outsoutsoutsouts

� Staying single Staying single Staying single Staying single

� Having children without a Having children without a Having children without a Having children without a spouse spouse spouse spouse

� Working only part time or not Working only part time or not Working only part time or not Working only part time or not working at allworking at allworking at allworking at all

- 2001 U.S. Census data

How Not to Be Poor: ◦ Stay in School Stay in School Stay in School Stay in School

◦ Get a Job Get a Job Get a Job Get a Job

◦ Get Married Get Married Get Married Get Married

◦ Don't Have Children Don't Have Children Don't Have Children Don't Have Children Out of WedlockOut of WedlockOut of WedlockOut of Wedlock

- National Center for Policy Analysis, Jan, 2003http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba428/

� Suffering stems partly from our finitude, and partly from the mass of sin which has accumulated over the course of history, and continues to grow unabated today.

� Benedict XVI, Spe salvi

Suffering is part of our human Suffering is part of our human Suffering is part of our human Suffering is part of our human existenceexistenceexistenceexistence

� Certainly we must do whatever we can to reduce suffering: to avoid as far as possible the suffering of the innocent; to soothe pain; to give assistance in overcoming mental suffering. ◦ These are obligations both in justice and in love, and they are included among the fundamental requirements of the Christian life and every truly human life.

Benedict XVI, Spe salvi

Suffering is part of our human Suffering is part of our human Suffering is part of our human Suffering is part of our human existenceexistenceexistenceexistence

� Indeed, we must do all we can to overcome suffering, but to banish it from the world altogether is not in our power.

� This is simply because we are unable to shake off our finitude and because none of us is capable of eliminating the power of evil, of sin which, as we plainly see, is a constant source of suffering.


� Only God is able to do this: only a God who personally enters history by making Himself man and suffering within history.


God has given us hope for the God has given us hope for the God has given us hope for the God has given us hope for the worldworldworldworld’’’’s healings healings healings healing

� We know that this God exists, and hence that this power to “take away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29) is present in the world.

◦ Through faith in the existence of this power, hope for the world's healing has emerged in history.

� It is, however, HOPE—not yet fulfillment; hope that gives us the courage to place ourselves on the side of good even in seemingly hopeless situations, aware that, as far as the external course of history is concerned, the power of sin will continue to be a terrible presence.


A society incapable of helping to share the A society incapable of helping to share the A society incapable of helping to share the A society incapable of helping to share the suffering of its members is cruel and inhumansuffering of its members is cruel and inhumansuffering of its members is cruel and inhumansuffering of its members is cruel and inhuman

� The true measure of humanity is essentially determined in relationship to suffering and to the sufferer. ◦ This holds true both for the individual and for society.

� A society unable to accept its suffering members and incapable of helping to share their suffering and to bear it inwardly through “com-passion” is a cruel and inhuman society.


Christianity gives meaning to sufferingChristianity gives meaning to sufferingChristianity gives meaning to sufferingChristianity gives meaning to suffering

� In the history of humanity, it was the Christian faith that had the particular merit of bringing forth within man a new and deeper capacity for these kinds of suffering that are decisive for his humanity. ◦ The Christian faith has shown us that truth, justice and love are not simply ideals, but enormously weighty realities.

� It has shown us that God —Truth and Love in person—desired to suffer for us and with us.


� Suffering and torment is still terrible and well- nigh unbearable.

� Yet the star of hope has risen—the anchor of the heart reaches the very throne of God.

� Instead of evil being unleashed within man, the light shines victorious: suffering—without ceasing to be suffering—becomes, despite everything, a hymn of praise.


REFERENCESREFERENCESREFERENCESREFERENCES

� Adeva I, 1990, Medical & Sexual Ethics, Sinag-tala Publishers, Inc., Manila

� Monge MA, 1991, Ethical practices in health and disease, Sinag-tala Publishers, Inc., Manila

� John Paul II, 1995, Evangelium vitae� John Paul II, 1981, Familiaris Consortio� Paul VI, 1968, Humanae Vitae� Paul VI,1965, Pastoral Constitution On The Church In The Modern World Gaudium Et Spes

� Pius XI,1930, Casti Connubii� Catechism of the Catholic Church, 6th Commandment

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