Implications of the 10 Commandments

You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve Salvation History Revelation Mighty, merciful and infinitely beneficent We are required to nourish and protect our faith with prudence. Believe and witness Love and hope are also necessary Adoration, prayer, sacrifices

Commandment # 1 The importance of promises and vows- Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony and Holy Orders. Social duty of religon and the right to religious freedom Nobody may be forced to act against his convictions or informed conscience.

1 The first commandment also forbids honouring other gods Superstition Idolatry Magic Irreligion – tempting God, putting God to the test, sacrilege, simony ( buying or selling spiritual things.) Graven images of God

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Respect for the name of God. No abuse of the name of God Bear witness to the Lord’s name Promises made to others in God’s name – do not misuse God’s name Blasphemy consists in uttering against God – inwardly and outwardly – words of hatred, reproach or defiance; doing evil in God’s name

2 Forbids false oaths Perjury Everyone’s name is sacred

3. Keep the Sabbath Holy Based on Gen 1 The Sunday Eucharist Precept of the Church – Sunday obligation A day of grace and rest from work. Nourish family life, health and religion Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s day.

3 Importance of leisure Uphold just working conditions

4. Honor your Mother and Father Positive terms of duties to be fulfilled. Includes parents but also members of the extended family Honour, affection and gratitude toward elders and ancestors. It extends to the duties of pupils to teachers, employees to employers subordinates to leaders, citizens to their country and those who administer or govern it.

4. It includes the duties of parents, teachers, leaders, elders, magistrates, those who govern, all in positions of authority Importance of family The political community has a duty to hour the family, to assist it. Adult children are reminded of their responsibilities toward their parents.

4 Harmony in family Parents responsible for education of children Parents must promote dignity of children Children are blessings not possessions Parents are the first church for children. Education in faith Care and attention Fostering vocations

4 Those who exercise authority should do so as a service. Promote justice Promote freedom and responsibility Promote common good Duties of citizens – taxes, etc. Citizens are obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they re contrary to the demands of the moral order.

5. You shall not kill Respect for all human life Legitimate defense Forbids direct and intentional killing Abortion, euthanasia, suicide Respect for the dignity of persons Forbids scandal, gossip Respect for health Forbids kidnapping and hostage taking

5 Against torture Respect for the dead The dying should be given attention and care tohelp them live their last moments in dignity and peace Organ donation is valid. Promotion of peace Deliberate hatred

Pray and act so that we may be free from war There are strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force Respect conscientious objectors Human rights must be upheld during wartime. Promotes principles of social justice- equality, The arms race is one of the greatest curses of the human race and the harm it inflicts on the poor is more than can be endured.

6. You Shall not commit adultery Chastity - sexual self-control Self-mastery Offenses against chastity  lust  pornography  prostitution  rape

Chastity and homosexuality Homosexual persons are called to chastity. Homosexuals must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.

6 The love between a Husband and Wife Fidelity/faithfulness Called to give life Natural family planning Research aimed at reducing human sterility is to be encouraged Concerns about techniques such as surrogate uterus, artificial insemination and fertilization

6 Offenses against the Dignity of Marriage o Adultery o Divorce o Polygamy o Incest o cohabitation

7. You shall not steal Forbids unjustly taking and keeping the goods of one’s neighbour. It commands justice and charity in the care of earthly goods and fruits of one’s labour. It promotes distributive justice and the right to private property It promotes the common good It promotes the Principle of Stewardship

7 Promotes practice of the virtue of temperance and practice of solidarity, in accordance with golden rule and generosity. Forbids theft Not returning lent goods or lost objects Business fraud, paying unjust wages, forcing up prices by taking advantage of the ignorance or hardship of another.

7 Speculation in which one contriives to manipulate the price of goods artificially Corruption Work poorly done Tax evasion Forgery Excessive expenses and waste. Promises must be kept and contacts strictly observed if morally just

7 Restitution of stolen goods to their owner. Gambling – is morally unacceptable whe they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. Enterprises that lead to the enslavement of human beings.

7 Respect for the integrity of creation Treatment of animals SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH Profit vs people ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Ordered first of all to the services of persons

7 Just wage Access to employment Rights of workers to unionize Respond to the needs of others Love of the poor Charity almgiving

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour Bear witness to the truth Against perjury Against every attitude and word likely to cause one unjust injury Against rash judgement Remarks contrary to the truth that harms the reputation of others. Boasting or bragging

8 Lying Duty of reparation Right to communicate the rruth Right to be informed Respect for confidentiality Use of social communication

9. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife Relates to the beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Pure in heart refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to the demands of God’s holiness. Against lust Practice temperance Prayer, practice chastity, purity of intention and of vision

10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods Do not covet unjustly what is not ours and belongs to another or is owed to another. Against envy Humility is advocated Desire for true happiness Here your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ( Mtt 6:21) Promotes detachment from riches.