In the Catholic social vision, the human person is central, the clearest reflection of God among us. The life of every human being, from conception through each stage of development to natural death, is sacred, deserving of respect and worthy of legal protection.
Beginning of Life Concerns
“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2270.
Baby Safe Haven Law
Since its inception in 2004, the Massachusetts Baby Safe Haven Law has provided a much-needed resource for individuals who, for whatever personal reason, feel they cannot properly care for a newborn infant. The Baby Safe Haven law provides a compassionate opportunity for saving the lives of children abandoned by parents who often are young, desperate, and unknowledgeable about financial and other supportive resources. It is a proper alternative for a woman who might be in a very stressful situation and by remaining anonymous, assures a safe, healthy environment for her newborn.
For more information on the Baby Safe Haven Law in the Commonwealth click here.
Beginning of Life Resources
Project Rachel
Project Rachel is a confidential Catholic outreach ministry offering hope and healing to women and men hurting from past abortions. For more information, please visit Project Rachel’s Boston website.
Click here for project Rachel’s national website.
Project Rachel helps bring healing to women after abortion
Pregnancy Support
Archdiocesan Pregnancy Help ministry assists mothers in need by
End of Life Concerns
SAY NO TO PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE
Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) legislation has been reintroduced this legislative session. The bills will be assigned to a legislative committee for review and eventually a hearing will be scheduled. Please check back frequently for updates as we work to defeat PAS once again. [February 7, 2023]
HD2343 An Act relative to end of life options.
SD265 An Act relative to end of life options.
Assisted Suicide’s Slippery Slope – Jeff Jacoby – Boston Globe
Alzheimer’s Association Statement About Compassion & Choices
Palliative Care
From the moment of our existence, we possess a God-given and changeless dignity. The Church opposes the view that human life can become a meaningless and useless burden fit only for death.
Resources
Death Penalty
“In Catholic teaching the state has the recourse to impose the death penalty upon criminals convicted of heinous crimes if this ultimate sanction is the only available means to protect society from a grave threat to human life. However, this right should not be exercised when other ways are available to punish criminals and to protect society that are more respectful of human life.”
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, November 2005.
Conference Legislative Action
See Bishops’ Statement on the Death Penalty, (pdf) April 2015.
Resource:
Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty