Context for human dignity erodes when faith in God declines

Euthanasia and abortion don't solve problems, they create new ones

Catholic Organization for Life and Family president Bishop Simard speaks at an
annual seminar March 7-8. "Dignity is an essential attribute of every man and
woman simply because they belong to humanity," he said. (Photo: CCN)

Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine and Valleyfield Bishop Noel Simard spoke about human dignity at an annual seminar put on by the Catholic Organization for Life and Family. They argued that the basis of human rights relies on God, not opinion.

If every human being’s subjective opinion becomes a basis for deciding when life begins or ends, chaos will result. Archbishop Lépine argued that if a government or majority decrees a different basis for human life, it would be like decreeing two plus two does not equal four.

He pointed out the understanding of human rights has weakened over the past 50-60 years since the United Nation’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After its ratification it would have been unthinkable for anyone to say, "Because you believe in God, you can’t speak," he said.

When the Catholic vision of God dissolves, so does the project of basing a society on the dignity of the human being because the only unshakeable foundation is God, he said in French.

"We cannot proclaim life without proclaiming God."

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.