A Consistent Ethic of LifeExamining the Method of Catholic

Moral Reasoning Application

Overview The consistent ethic of life is a systematic

vision of the Catholic Church that informs how we approach specific ethical issues

Is a method for how we can apply moral reasoning for all specific issues

In addition to beginning and end of life issues, the Church’s consistent ethic of life includes the entire scope of all human life

Engages peace, poverty, social justice, etc.

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin

Archbishop cardinal of Chicago who initiated public discourse on “consistent ethic of life”

Gannon lecture at Fordham and Wade Lecture at St. Louis

Ties together Pro-Life issue after Roe v. Wade with nuclear arms reduction in late Cold War

Scriptural Roots

“Seamless Garment” Metaphor taken from Passion in Gospel of John

Cannot rip, divide, separate issues of life and death; all interweave into one attitude toward life or death

cf. Jn 19 and Dt 30

Decalogue and Torah Consistent argument in Old Testament for

choices that promote life and justice Jesus own example of promoting life

Miracles of healing, forgiveness & resurrection

Tradition of Church on Consistent Ethic

One of seven key themes of Catholic Social Teaching

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/socialteaching/excerpt.shtml

Analyzing and Assessing the Evidence

How to engage others in discussion of consistent ethic of life?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2momo55Q8A Questions for reflection:

Does he represent the argument accurately? Is his response or alternative idea better or more

logically sound? What is a response you might make to support or

repudiate his argument?

Is a key issue today as it was 30 years ago; key for political identity of Catholics

Faithful Citizenship

• In the last 10 years, the US has since borders attacked by a non-state agent, growth in income disparity, rise in public debt, increasing illegal immigration, tens of millions of abortions, and the list goes on . . .

• Must look to “common good”– Cannot disenfranchise one group in favor of another

• Not utilitarian in nature

• Calls for individual responsibility and participation in wider social and political action

Catholic Church and Party Voting

• “A Catholic moral framework is not ‘politically correct;’ it does not fit the rigid ideologies of ‘right’ or ‘left,’ or the platform of any party

– Must be anchored in Scripture, teaching of the Church, & everyday experience of a large, diverse community that is “catholic”

• Vatican affirms:

1. Well-formed Christian conscience does not permit voting for a political program or law that contradicts fundamental principles of our faith

Catholic Church and Party Voting

2. Reminded that we are not to isolate a particular element of Catholic doctrine

• Cannot be a “single-issue” voter

• Priority to be advocates for those who lack a political voice

The Two Standards: Reflection

One way to understand the Consistent Ethic of Life is to see it through the lens of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Meditation on the Two Standards

Text of Two Standards in Sp. Ex.

Reflection on Two Standards

Audio for Reflection