Donum Vitae
Conclusion
The spread of technologies of intervention in the processes
of human procreation raises very serious moral problems in
relation to the respect due to the human being from the moment
of conception, to the dignity of the person, of his or her
sexuality, and of the transmission of life. With this Instruction
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in fulfilling
its responsibility to promote and defend the Church's teaching
in so serious a matter, addresses a new and heartfelt invitation
to all those who, by reason of their role and their commitment,
can exercise a positive influence and ensure that, in the
family and in society, due respect is accorded to life and
love. It addresses this invitation to those responsible for
the formation of consciences and of public opinion, to scientists
and medical professionals, to jurists and politicians. It
hopes that all will understand the incompatibility between
recognition of the dignity of the human person and contempt
for life and love, between faith in the living God and the
claim to decide arbitrarily the origin and fate of a human
being.
In particular, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
addresses an invitation with confidence and encouragement
to theologians, and above all to moralists, that they study
more deeply and make eves more accessible to the faithful
the contents of the teaching of the Church's Magisterium in
the light of a valid anthropology in the matter of sexuality
and marriage and in the context of the necessary interdisciplinary
approach. Thus they will make it possible to understand ever
more clearly the reasons for and the validity of this teaching.
By defending man against the excesses of his own power, the
Church of God reminds him of the reasons for his true nobility;
only in this way can the possibility of living and loving
with that dignity and liberty which derive from respect for
the truth be ensured for the men and women of tomorrow. The
precise indications which are offered in the present Instruction
therefore are not meant to halt the effort of reflection but
rather to give it a renewed impulse in unrenounceable fidelity
to the teaching of the Church.
In the light of the truth about the gift of human life and
in the light of the moral principles which flow from that
truth, everyone is invited to act in the area of responsibility
proper to each and, like the good Samaritan, to recognize
as a neighbour even the littlest among the children of men
(Cf . Lk 10: 2 9-37). Here Christ's words find a new
and particular echo: "What you do to one of the least
of my brethren, you do unto me" (Mt 25:40).
During an audience granted to the undersigned Prefect
after the plenary session of the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith, the Supreme Pontiff, John Paul II, approved
this Instruction and ordered it to be published.
Given at Rome, from the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, February 22, 1987, the Feast of the Chair of St.
Peter, the Apostle.
JOSEPH Card. RATZINGER
Prefect
ALBERTO BOVONE
Titular Archbishop of Caesarea in Numidia Secretary
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