1. Who are we? Why are we here? How should we live?
Inherent Dignity
Who are we?
Why are we here?
How should we live?

2. Inherent Dignity
Inherent: in the very fabric of our being; cannot be taken away from us. We are born with it. A gift from God
Made in God’s image and likeness
Have intelligence
Have free will
Able to love and be loved
Immortal soul
Human dignity

3. Human Beings Uniqueness Unique DNA Varying degrees of intelligence
How we use our free will
Quantity and quality of relationships
Each of us has unique or different abilities but we are all of the same value and worth because of the love of God

4. We are created as Good Made in the image and likeness of God
Unique creatures of the creation
Incarnation affirms the basic goodness of the world in general, humanity in particular
Jesus would not have come into the world if it were not good
Jesus would not have assumed a human nature if it were not good

5. Image and Likeness of God
Fundamental dignity
We have value and worth because God made us in His image. This is the basis for human dignity and our claim to human rights no matter how we look, what we do or what others say.
Reflection of God in this world
We image God to others in this world
We are the visible face of God to others
Jesus as our model
Jesus gives dignity to humankind
Ministers to all people with respect and love

6. Intellect and Free Will
Think and reason
Make wise decisions
Pursue truths of a higher order
Free Will
Conscience
Aid to our decision making
Moral decisions
Choose freely what to do
Act
Of our own will, without coercion

7. To Love and Be Loved How did Jesus love? How does he want us to love?
Spoke the truth
Healed
Showed mercy
Willingly gave his life for us
How does he want us to love?
Love God above all
Love others as he has loves us
Seek the good for others even at our own expense

8. Stewardship Creator’s gift Intended for all Call to stewardship
God’s gracious gift that destined all material creatures for the good of the human race
Intended for all
Original gift of God to the human race
All people are entitled to their needs
Right to private property, possessions
Call to stewardship
Dominion to care for and use but not to abuse or use for selfish purposes
Environmental protection
Earthly goods belong equally to the future humankind

9. Men and Women Created for each other Created as equals
Revealed in the creation story of Genesis
Created as equals
Equal in dignity, rights, and capacity to be a sign of God’s presence in the world
Different physically
Created with the gift of Sexuality
Love, procreation, and bonding
Chastity , the virtue that helps us successfully integrate our sexuality into the total person.

10. Human Dignity
The heart of human dignity consists of these three fundamental truths:
We are all created as good
We are in need of salvation
We are meant for eternal life in the glory of God’s holy presence

11. In Need of Redemption
The “Fall” brought sin into the world and has been part of the human experience since.
Affected our human nature in that it is now weakened and inclined to sin. (Concupiscence)
Because God loves us, he sent Jesus to expiate that sin, Jesus undoes what Adam did
Baptism heals our wounded nature and gives us the grace to fight temptation and sin
Jesus restored what we lost

12. Redeemed Justified Sanctified Salvation through faith and actions
Through God’s loving action we are cleansed of our sin and made “right” through our faith in Jesus the Christ
Sanctified
The work of the Holy Spirit that makes us, as individuals, holy with our cooperation.
Salvation through faith and actions

13. Bound for Glory
Ultimate destiny: eternal life in the glory of God’s holy presence
Beatific vision
Sharing in the sacramental life strengthens us for the journey and enables us to attain this ultimate destiny

14. Revelation of Inherent Dignity
Assumed our human nature (Incarnation)
Restored our image that was tarnished from sin
Ensured our ultimate destiny
Eternal life in the glory of God’s holy presence
Revealed our inherent dignity
All people have been created in God’s image
Men and women are equal partners
Life is sacred, at all its stages, from conception to natural death

15. How to Follow Jesus
Evangelical Counsels: Practices over and above the adherence to the commandments and precepts of the Church
Poverty
Chastity
Obedience
Beatitudes
Guidelines for living in holiness and for happiness
Works of Mercy
Corporal works
Spiritual works

16. Evangelical Counsels Poverty Chastity Obedience
Avoid putting undue value on material things and wealth
Chastity
Integrate sexuality in to our total person. We are physical, emotional, intellectual, social, moral and spiritual persons in addition to sexual.
Dress, speak, act, think in a modest way.
Obedience
Obey God and official authority

17. Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

18. Works of Mercy Spiritual Corporal (physical)
To instruct the ignorant ;
To counsel the doubtful ;
To admonish sinners ;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead
Corporal (physical)
To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To shelter the homeless;
To visit the sick;
To ransom the captive;
To bury the dead.

19. Respect for Human Life Sacred gift of life At life’s beginning
God gives life only God can take life
Killing at any stage is a violation of the fifth commandment
“cides,” torture, trafficking and degrading conditions
Dignity of the body
At life’s beginning
Abortion, the intentional termination of any pregnancy, in any circumstances
Genetic alteration
IVF and other artificial methods of conceiving a child
At life’s end
Euthanasia, the direct action or deliberate and purposeful lack of action that causes the death of a person who is sick, disabled or dying.