The Church Speaks On BioEthics
The Vatican has just released a 30 page document called The Dignity of a Person, which updates and reinforces the teachings of the Church as it applies to the latest scientific discoveries involving life. The importance of the teaching authority of the Church (Magisterium) is so crucial these days as the morality of the latest scientific advances can't be sorted out by searching Scripture alone. The Word of God is alive and active and Catholics believe that it continues to be proclaimed through this teaching authority of the Church. Unfortunately, the Bible can't speak to us regarding issues of IVF, cloning etc, but the wisdom of God regarding the issues of life is made clear to the faithful through documents such as this. God doesn't leave us orphans, but continues to send His Spirit to lead us in all truth, in all areas.
The document speaks on embryonic stem cell research, frozen embryoes, in vitro fertilization, cloning and other areas that have been developed since the last document(Donum Vitae) 21 years ago. Here's a snippet from Dignitas Personae:
"The Magisterium also seeks to offer a word of support and encouragement for the
perspective on culture which considers science an invaluable service to the integral good of the
life and dignity of every human being. The Church therefore views scientific research with
hope and desires that many Christians will dedicate themselves to the progress of biomedicine
and will bear witness to their faith in this field. She hopes moreover that the results of such
research may also be made available in areas of the world that are poor and afflicted by disease,
so that those who are most in need will receive humanitarian assistance. Finally, the Church
seeks to draw near to every human being who is suffering, whether in body or in spirit, in order
to bring not only comfort, but also light and hope. These give meaning to moments of sickness
and to the experience of death, which indeed are part of human life and are present in the story
of every person, opening that story to the mystery of the Resurrection. Truly, the gaze of the
Church is full of trust because “Life will triumph: this is a sure hope for us. Yes, life will
triumph because truth, goodness, joy and true progress are on the side of life. God, who loves
life and gives it generously, is on the side of life”.
The document speaks on embryonic stem cell research, frozen embryoes, in vitro fertilization, cloning and other areas that have been developed since the last document(Donum Vitae) 21 years ago. Here's a snippet from Dignitas Personae:
"The Magisterium also seeks to offer a word of support and encouragement for the
perspective on culture which considers science an invaluable service to the integral good of the
life and dignity of every human being. The Church therefore views scientific research with
hope and desires that many Christians will dedicate themselves to the progress of biomedicine
and will bear witness to their faith in this field. She hopes moreover that the results of such
research may also be made available in areas of the world that are poor and afflicted by disease,
so that those who are most in need will receive humanitarian assistance. Finally, the Church
seeks to draw near to every human being who is suffering, whether in body or in spirit, in order
to bring not only comfort, but also light and hope. These give meaning to moments of sickness
and to the experience of death, which indeed are part of human life and are present in the story
of every person, opening that story to the mystery of the Resurrection. Truly, the gaze of the
Church is full of trust because “Life will triumph: this is a sure hope for us. Yes, life will
triumph because truth, goodness, joy and true progress are on the side of life. God, who loves
life and gives it generously, is on the side of life”.
posted by Russ Rentler, M.D. | 7:52 AM
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