Folia Theologica 19. (2008)
Hámori Antal: Human dignity in church Teaching
HUMAN DIGNITY IN CHURCH TEACHING 61 justice."120 If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. The Lord says, „Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment" (Mt 5:22).121 Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm. „But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Mt 5:44-45)122 Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is „the tranquillity of order."123 Peace is the work of justice (Isa 32:17) and the effect of charity.124 Earthly peace is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ, the messianic „Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:5). By the blood of his Cross, „in his own person he killed the hostility,"125 he reconciled men with God and made his Church the sacrament of the unity of the human race and of its union with God.126 „He is our peace." (Eph 2:14) He has declared: „Blessed are the peacemakers" (Mt 5:9).127 16. The sacrament (dignity) of remorse The sinner wounds God's honor and love, his own human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone.128 120 St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae II-II, 158,1 ad 3. 121 CCC2302. 122 CCC 2303. 123 St. Augustine, De civitate Dei 19,13,1. 124 CCC 2304; GS 78. 125 Cf. Eph 2:16. 126 Cf. LG 1. 127 CCC 2305. See CCC 2306; 2307-2317,2327-2330, cf. Isa 2:4; GS 78-81; PP 53. 128 CCC 1487.
