Evangelium Vitae (Latin "the gospel of life") is the name of the encyclical written by Pope John Paul II which expresses the official position of the Catholic Church regarding the value and inviolability of human life. It was promulgated on March 25, 1995.
Summary
"Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God."
Beginning with an overview of threats to human life both past and present the encyclical chiefly condemns Abortion which it quotes Tertullian as calling "anticipated murder to prevent someone from being born" and euthanasia which it calls "a disturbing perversion of mercy", the encyclical also reiterates the positions of the Catholic Church with regards to contraception and suicide.
Although the above prohibitions are the main area of interest to most inquirers, Pope John Paul II himself devotes most of his words to social and ecological factors stressing the importance of a society which is built around the family rather than a wish to improve efficiency.
See Also
External links
