The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is  the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of  all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under  direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. 

• Watch the Catholic Social Teaching (CTS) 101 Video “Life and Dignity of the Human Person” (The link is to a handout, not the video) (3:27 minutes) from Catholic Relief Services.
• Read Selections from Scripture and Church Teaching on the Dignity of the Human Person from the USCCB website. (Please close that window to return to this page.)