St. Callistus, Pope and Martyr

The Catechism teaches that human life must be respected and protected absolutely from conception. It affirms that every procured abortion is morally evil, and that this teaching is unchangeable. It also emphasizes the grave seriousness of formal cooperation in abortion, for which the Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication, while making clear both the gravity of the act and the irreparable harm done to the innocent person, the parents, and society. The right to life of every innocent human being is a foundational element of civil society and its laws. Because the embryo must be treated as a person from conception, it should be defended, cared for, and healed as far as possible. Procedures that respect an embryo’s life and integrity and are directed toward healing, improved health, or survival can be licit; however, producing embryos for exploitation or using non-therapeutic genetic interventions to select predetermined traits is immoral and contrary to the person’s dignity, integrity, and unique identity.

The Catechism emphasizes the special respect owed to those whose lives are weakened or diminished. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to live as normally as possible. Direct euthanasia—deliberately ending the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons—is morally unacceptable. It can be legitimate to discontinue treatments that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to their expected outcome, provided death is not intended; when a patient cannot decide, those legally entitled to act must respect the patient’s reasonable will and legitimate interests. Even when death is near, ordinary care must continue. Pain relief and palliative care can be compassionate acts of charity when death is neither intended as an end nor as a means.