The Consistent Life Ethic The Catechism of the Catholic Church directly reconciliation, and respect in protecting and the Catholic Tradition forbids abortion, euthanasia, and adds that “the the unprotected. fifth commandment forbids doing anything with The Consistent Life ethic reminds us that to the intention of indirectly bringing about a We are an international network of 200 groups truly respect God’s great creation, human life, person's death. The moral law prohibits and hundreds of individuals. Our we must oppose anything that threatens life. The exposing someone to mortal danger without member groups and endorsers include: consistent life ethic is internally “consistent” and grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a though we are a non-denominational person in danger. The acceptance by human Catholic Peace Fellowship organization, the ethic is also consistent with society of murderous famines, without efforts to National Council of Catholic Women Catholic theology. remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a Pax Christi USA grave offense. Those whose usurious and Maryknoll Office of Global Concern Perhaps the first widely publicized use of the avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death Franciscan Center for Social Concern term “consistent life” was in Joseph Cardinal of their brethren in the human family indirectly Center for Action and Contemplation Bernardin’s lecture at Fordham University, New commit homicide.” (no. 2269) Further, "If...non- Daniel Berrigan, SJ, Author and Activist York’s Jesuit university, in 1983. Delivered lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect Wendell Berry, Environmentalist and during the height of the nuclear scare, this people's safety from the aggressor, authority will Poet address linked the issues of war and abortion, limit itself to such means, as these are more in Kathleen and Jim McGinnis, Authors, stating that both issues “must be seen in light of keeping with the concrete conditions of the Parenting for Peace and Justice an attitude of respect for life”. Indeed, Cardinal common good and more in conformity with the Bernardin covered the whole broad range of pro- dignity of the human person" (no. 2267). Murder Victims Families for life issues, saying “the spectrum of life cuts USCCB adds: “Capital punishment cuts short Reconciliation across the issues of genetics, abortion, capital the guilty person's opportunity for spiritual Helen Prejean, CSJ, Author, Dead Man punishment, modern warfare and the care of the conversion and repentance.” (from USCCB’s Walking terminally ill.” The full address can be viewed “Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, A Martin Sheen, Actor at http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bernardingannon.html Campaign in Support of Life” at Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Ireland http://www.usccb.org/prolife/pastoralplan.shtml) (Nobel Laureate) The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) similarly states: Consistent Life: Consistent Life is a non-profit organization “...the culture of life is much more than signing the logical choice for Catholics based in Silver Spring, MD and founded in 1987 the partial birth abortion ban, it is about health (as Seamless Garment Network). Our work involves distributing our message, and care for pregnant mothers, it is about hunger at About Us home and abroad, about war and peace. These information relevant to life issues, via involve prudential judgments, but they are not MISSION: We are committed to the advertising in publications and via our own marginal or optional matters for protection of life, which is threatened in electronic and print publications. We conduct Catholics....THE CONSISTENT LIFE ETHIC is today's world by war, abortion, poverty, research on increasing respect for life in society not a tactic, an excuse or scorecard. It is an racism, capital punishment and and in law across America and the whole world. expression of what (Catholics) believe and who euthanasia. We believe that these issues We provide information and support to our we are. It has been clearly taught by John Paul II are linked under a 'consistent ethic of life'. member groups such as those conducting and the US Bishops.” We challenge those working on, or lobbying, and we sponsor briefs advising the http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/CSMG.ppt interested in, all or some of these issues to Supreme Court of the unity of pro-lifers. maintain a cooperative spirit of peace, Sign me/us up as members of Consistent Life We invite you . ____ Individual Membership ($25.00) Life is the most sacred gift we are given, ____ Household Membership ($40.00) whether we are Christian, Buddhist, Jew, The Consistent ____ Supporter ($75.00) Muslim, or atheist. The sanctity of life extends across national boundaries and party lines. ____ Patron ($100.00) Life Ethic and the However, due to the Church’s longstanding Send information on how our organization deep-seated respect for human life and Her Catholic Tradition can become a member of Consistent Life history of putting these beliefs into action, at this ________________________________________ time we especially call upon Catholics of all Organization walks of life and political beliefs to take it upon themselves to become more aware of what it ________________________________________ means to be truly pro-life and help others to Contact Person become more aware as well. USCCB states: Send information about: ___ Resource Materials (books, videos, Catholic progressives should be measured pamphlets) by how they stand up for human ___ Speakers life…Catholic conservatives should be measured by how they stand up for Enclosed is a donation to Consistent Life, human dignity… Inc. http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/CSMG.ppt $______ (donation is tax deductible) ________________________________________ Those whose lives are ended or forever affected In today's fragmented world of by violence, from abortion to war to euthanasia, Name Left / Right and of Conservative are often the least of His people. May Catholics ________________________________________ and all people everywhere speak for them when / Liberal, Consistent Life Street Address no one else will. emerges as a voice of unity. ________________________________________ We witness to the human rights City/State/ZIP of all . .the unborn, those on ________________________________________ death row, sick or infirmed, Phone Number P.O. Box 9295 global neighbors and victims of Silver Spring, MD 20916-9295 ________________________________________ war, of poverty, and of racism. E-mail Address http://www.consistent-life.org/ Return this coupon to: [email protected] Consistent Life Voice mail: 866-444-7245 P.O. Box 9295 Online store: Silver Spring, MD 20916-9295 http://www.cafepress.com/lifecounts http://www.consistent-life.org/.