In that the Catholic Faith is founded on the apostolic teachings found in Holy Scripture, the early teachings of the Church founders, The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the teachings from the Vatican, the Church defends the dignity and sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception through death. The Bible supports life as it states:
- that the concept of “life” was regarded as the highest good, while “death” was seen as the worst evil. Hence the challenge found in Deuteronomy 30:19–“Today I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings. Now choose Life, so that you and your children may live”
- that man was not a chance or a mere assemblage of cells, but that he was created in the image of God. Hence, the shedding of innocent blood was strictly forbidden (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 23:7, Proverbs 6:16-17)
- that children were never seen as “unwanted” or as a nuisance (unless later in life they became wicked), but as a gift from God–the highest possible blessing (Psalms 127:3-5, 113:9, Gen. 17:6, 33:5, etc.)
- that immortality was achieved through one’s descendants. God’s “promise” to Abraham to make of him a great nation was passed on to Isaac, Jacob, etc. “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him,” writes the Psalmist (127:3; See also Gen. 48:16)
- that sterility and barrenness were seen as a curse, a source of great shame and sorrow. Hence, Peninnah’s harsh ridicule of Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother, because of the latter’s initial barrenness (1 Samuel 1:6; see also Gen. 20:17-18, 30:1, 22-23,etc.)
- that God was at work in the womb fashioning a human for His purposes (Ps.139:13-16, Isa. 49:1,5 , Jer.1:5)
- that we shall be held accountable before God for our actions: “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Mt 19:17)
- “Thou shalt not kill.” (Commandments given to Moses, Ex 20:13)
- “From man in regard to his fellow man, I will demand an accounting for human life.”(Gen 9:5)