Folia Theologica 19. (2008)

Hámori Antal: Human dignity in church Teaching

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HÁMORI, Antal

not conform to the dignity of the person if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject or those who legitimately speak for him.115

c) Respect of physical integrity

Kidnapping and hostage taking bring on a reign of terror; by means of threats they subject their victims to intolerable pressures. They are morally wrong. Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice and charity. Torture which uses physical or moral violence to extract confessions, punish the guilty, frighten opponents, or satisfy hatred is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity. Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law.116

d) Respect of the dying and deceased

The dying should be given attention and care to help them live their last moments in dignity and peace. They will be helped by the prayer of their relatives, who must see to it that the sick receive at the proper time the sacraments that prepare them to meet the living God.117

The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy;118 it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit.119

15. Preservation of peace, avoidance of war

By recalling the commandment, „You shall not kill," (Mt 5:21) our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral. Anger is a desire for revenge. „To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who should be punished is illicit," but it is praiseworthy to impose restitution „to correct vices and maintain

115 CCC 2295. See CCC 2296.

116 CCC 2297. See CCC 2298. Cf. CIC, can. 1397.

117 CCC 2299.

118 Cf. Tob 1:16-18.

119 CCC 2300. See CCC 2301; cf. CIC, can. 1176 § 3.