Evangelium Vitae

Description

Evangelium Vitae, “The Gospel of Life,” is an Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II that presents the Church’s teaching on life issues. More importantly, it affirms the great value of human life in the face of a culture of death. After laying out the moral foundations for the Church’s teachings on abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and war, Pope John Paul II calls Christians to build a culture of life. More than just opposing cultural movements that support death, a culture of life promotes the beauty and value of human life in all stages.

Promulgated on March 25, 1995 by Pope John Paul II, this encyclical calls each person to respect, protect, love, and serve every human life. John Paul II describes the Gospel of Life as the heart of Jesus’ message and defends the sacredness of every human life as a fruit of the creative action of God. In this context, “Evangelium Vitae” addresses new and emerging threats to human life, including abortion and euthanasia, and champions the inviolability of human life via reflections on civil law and moral law, the Gospel of life, the family as the sanctuary of life, the transformation of culture, and the motherhood of Mary.