Folia Theologica 19. (2008)

Hámori Antal: Human dignity in church Teaching

FOLIA THEOLOGICA 19 (2008)

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HÁMORI, Antal

HUMAN DIGNITY IN CHURCH TEACHING

Introduction

The study - based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church1 - introduces the theological reality of human dignity and its various connections.

This way the study discusses the following aspects: desire for God and life in Christ; providence; sacrament (dignity) of matrimony; family in God's plan; dignity of children; offenses of the dignity of a woman; sins against chastity; man as a husband and father; rights of a child; freedom of the human being; respect of a human person; equality and difference between people; respect of human life (prohibition of manslaughter, abortion, euthanasia and suicide); respect of the dignity of human beings (respect of other's soul, respect of health, respect of a human being in the field of scientific research, respect of physical integrity, respect of the dying and deceased); preservation of peace, avoidance of war; and sacrament of remorse.

1. The theological reality of human dignity

Of all visible creatures only man is „able to know and love his creator".2 He is „the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake",3 and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God's own life.4 The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God; it is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude.5

1 See www.vatican.va/archive

2 Gaudium et Spes (GS) 12.

3 GS 24.

4 Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 356.

5 CCC 1700 (1701-1729; GS 6,13-17, 22, 24). Cf. Christifideles laid 37-39; GS 27; Familiaris consortio (FC) 30.