Growing in Faith

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Fifth Commandment

1. What is the fifth commandment of God?
2. What did Jesus say about the fifth commandment?
3. What does the fifth commandment require of us?
4. Are we to respect all people?
5. What are some of the chief crimes committed against human life and dignity?
6. What is murder?
7. Does the commandment "you shall not kill" apply to all innocent human life?
8. Do those who cooperate in an abortion share the guilt?
9. Do parents have legal rights over an unborn child?
10. Is abortion allowable for rape, incest or to save a mother's life?
11. What is to be said of experiments on the human embryo?
12. Is euthanasia or "mercy-killing" against the fifth commandment?
13. Is suicide contrary to God's law?
14. Can any circumstances mitigate the guilt of suicide?
15. Is scandal sinful?
16. What are some sources of scandal?
17. How are we to take care of our physical health?|
18. Why must we treat our body as a sacred thing?
19. Is it ever permissible to knowingly shorten one's life?
20. Can we ever refuse medical treatment?
21. Is it permissible for the dying to take painkillers, even if such drugs might shorten their life?

1. What is the fifth commandment of God?
The fifth commandment of God is:

You shall not kill (Ex 20:13).

2. What did Jesus say about the fifth commandment?
Jesus said:

You have heard that it was said to the ancients, "You shall not murder," and that whoever does commit murder shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you, anyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, "Raqa!" shall be liable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, "You fool!" shall be liable to the fire of Gehenna (Mt 5:21-22).

3. What does the fifth commandment require of us?
The fifth commandment requires us to respect the sacredness of human life in all its stages, and to take proper care of our own life and the lives of others. (2258)

In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10). (NRSV)

4. Are we to respect all people?
All people deserve respect because they are created in the image and likeness of God, have been redeemed by Christ and are destined for eternal life. Every type of prejudice is to be overcome and rooted out as contrary to God's intent and to human dignity.

This is the commandment just as you heard from the beginning-that you should walk in love (2 Jn 6).

5. What are some of the chief crimes committed against human life and dignity?
Some of the chief crimes committed against human life and dignity are any type of murder such as abortion, euthanasia or "mercy-killing," culpable suicide, mutilation and/or sterilization of the human body without a serious reason, torture and brainwashing, indecent living and working conditions, forced imprisonment of innocent people, deportation from one's country, slavery, and the selling of men, women and children.

6. What is murder?
Murder is direct and intentional killing. Murderers and those who cooperate with them commit grave sin, as does anyone who indirectly contributes to another's death. (2268-2269)

But as for...murderers...their portion lies in the flaming lake of fire and sulfur, that is, the second death (Rev 21:8).

7. Does the commandment "you shall not kill" apply to all innocent human life?
This commandment applies to all innocent human life, including that of the unborn child, who has the same right to life as any other person. Abortion at any time after the child is conceived deprives the unborn of this basic right, and therefore is murder. (2270)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you (Jer 1:5).

8. Do those who cooperate in an abortion share the guilt?
Those who formally cooperate in an abortion (who participate in the act itself in some way and approve it, such as the abortionist, abortion clinic personnel, etc.) commit a grave offense and are, by the act, excommunicated from the Church. (2272)

There are...things which the Lord hates,...which are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood... (Prov 6:16-17).

9. Do parents have legal rights over an unborn child?
Parents have parental rights over the unborn child, but these are all positive and supportive, such as to name, educate and protect the child. Neither parents, doctors nor the State can deprive the unborn of their inalienable right to life. This right is inherent in human nature, originating in the parent's creative act. No one else has any right over another's life or bodily integrity; neither can the State presume to give such rights by law. (2273)

10. Is abortion allowable for rape, incest or to save a mother's life?
In the case of rape or incest, certain immediate steps can be taken to prevent conception. If these efforts fail, however, abortion can never be the next step. The new life is innocent and independent of the sinful act. Neither can an abortion be performed to save the mother's life. Sometimes a medical procedure used in treating the mother may indirectly cause an abortion, but nothing may be done to induce a direct abortion.

11. What is to be said of experiments on the human embryo?
The utmost care and respect is due to the human embryo, which must be treated as a person from its conception. The human embryo must not be produced for experimentation nor disposed of as biological waste. Genetic manipulation and selection are to be condemned. Only what is truly therapeutic can be considered licit. (2274-2275)

12. Is euthanasia or "mercy-killing" against the fifth commandment?
Euthanasia or "mercy-killing" is always a grave sin because no human person has the right to take his or her own life or that of another. God alone is the Lord and Master of life. The sin committed is either suicide or murder. (2276)

13. Is suicide contrary to God's law?
Suicide is contrary to the law of God who is the sovereign master of life. We are only stewards of our life, charged with the duty to preserve it. (2280-2281)

14. Can any circumstances mitigate the guilt of suicide?
The guilt of suicide can be mitigated by severe psychological illness, anxiety, fear, suffering or torture. The Church encourages us to pray for those who commit suicide, believing that God provides an opportunity for repentance before they die. (2282-2283)

15. Is scandal sinful?
To give scandal or serious bad example by leading another to sin by word, action, or omission, or by lessening another's respect for God and religion, can be sinful. (2284)

For scandal not to come is impossible, but woe to the one through whom it comes! It would be better for him to have a millstone placed around his neck and be thrown into the sea... (Lk 17:1).

16. What are some sources of scandal?
Some sources of scandal or bad example are immoral behavior by an authority figure, improper language or hate filled speech, immoral literature or media programs, immodest styles, dishonest business practices, etc. (2285-2286)

17. How are we to take care of our physical health?
We should use ordinary means (food, sleep, shelter, medical attention) to preserve our life. We must avoid an exaggerated "cult of the body," that is, excessive concern about physical appearance and bodily well-being. Dangerous sports, intemperance in food and drink, smoking and reckless driving, etc. are to be avoided because they endanger our life and health or that of others. (2288)

18. Why must we treat our body as a sacred thing?
We must treat our body as a sacred thing because it truly is, due to the fact that God lives within us by grace. St. Paul says:

Or do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit... (1 Cor 6:19).

19. Is it ever permissible to knowingly shorten one's life?
It is sinful to directly intend to shorten one's life, such as by choosing to work under dangerous conditions in the hope of shortening one's own life. But a person may risk his life or health for a serious motive, for example, to save the life of another person.

Greater love than this no man has-to lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13).

20. Can we ever refuse medical treatment?
Yes, we can refuse medical treatment that is burdensome, extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected results. The decision belongs to the patient, or if the patient is no longer competent, to a trusted person who knows the patient's wishes or best interests in this regard. (2278)

21. Is it permissible for the dying to take painkillers, even if such drugs might shorten their life?
The dying may take painkillers to alleviate the intense sufferings which often accompany the process of dying. They must not be taken with the intention of hastening death, but to make the person more comfortable in the face of inevitable death. (2279)