Fifth Commandment

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

Fifth Commandment

1. Is drug abuse sinful?
2. Is mutilation of the human body ever permitted?
3. Should medical research be encouraged?
4. What does the Church teach about organ donation?
5. What other crimes are there against bodily integrity?
6. What is owed to the dying?
7. What is proper treatment of the dead?
8. Is it ever permitted to take the life of another person?
9. What must we consider concerning capital punishment?
10. Does this commandment forbid war?
11. When is a war just?
12. How can Christians promote true peace?
13. How should military personnel act in a war?
14. Is it immoral to accumulate arms?
15. Is the obligation of bearing arms in the service of one's country binding upon all?
16. How important is our spiritual well-being?
17. What else is opposed to the fifth commandment?
18. What did Christ teach us about love and forgiveness?
19. Why are anger and hatred contrary to the fifth commandment?

1. Is drug abuse sinful?
Drug abuse is sinful because it can seriously injure our mental and/or physical well-being. Drugs also make it easy for us to do wrong to ourselves or to others. (2291)

2. Is mutilation of the human body ever permitted?
Mutilation of the human body-for example, removing an arm, leg, etc.-may be permitted if there is no other way to preserve the health or save the life of a person. (2297)

3. Should medical research be encouraged?
Medical and scientific research should be encouraged because of its potential for alleviating human suffering. All research and experimentation must be done in conformity with human dignity and moral law. (2295)

4. What does the Church teach about organ donation?
Organ donation is morally acceptable and can be meritorious because of the benefit to the recipient. However, consent must be given by the donor or a legitimate spokesperson. The donor may not be mutilated nor may death be caused by the donation. (2296)

5. What other crimes are there against bodily integrity?
Terrorism, torture, kidnapping, hostage taking, issuing false threats, and acts of violence, such as mutilation, are gravely sinful. (2297-2298)

6. What is owed to the dying?
We owe care and respect to the dying, and the support of our prayers. They should be given the opportunity to receive the sacraments of the sick. (2299)

7. What is proper treatment of the dead?
The dead must be treated with the respect due to them as God's children now awaiting resurrection. The burial should be conducted with dignity. Cremation is also permitted provided it is not a denial of bodily resurrection. (2300-2301)

8. Is it ever permitted to take the life of another person?
Although it is never permissible to take an innocent life, in some circumstances it may be lawful to take the life of another person. For example, an act of self defense may result in unintentional killing. Legitimate defense may include:

protecting one's own life and possessions and those of one's neighbor from an unjust attacker, provided no other means of protection is effective;

fighting a just war;

executing just punishment for a crime, though many Catholic thinkers hold that capital punishment is no longer justifiable in our society. (2263-2266)

9. What must we consider concerning capital punishment?
Although imposing capital punishment has long been recognized as a legitimate right of civil authorities for punishing grave crimes, we must consider whether or not the accused will profit by another form of punishment such as life imprisonment in order to reflect and repent; that the accused may actually be innocent; that our motivations may be spiritually injurious to ourselves or others, such as revenge or hatred; that the example of imposing death may prove counter-productive by lessening the general respect for life rather than lowering the crime rate. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Today...the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity 'are very rare, if not practically non-existent.''' (2266-2267)

10. Does this commandment forbid war?
The fifth commandment forbids intentional killing; therefore, war can never be pursued without extremely grave reasons. Everyone has the duty to avoid war, if at all possible. (2307-2308)

11. When is a war just?
For a war to be just, it must be called for by the head of the government; those who are undertaking war should have a rightful intention; there must be a just cause; other means of settlement must have been tried and failed; the evils of conflict must not outweigh the good results to be expected from waging war; and there must be "serious prospects of success." Applying those principles is very difficult today especially because of the nature of modern weapons. (2309)

12. How can Christians promote true peace?
Christians can promote true peace by rooting out all causes of discord (injustice, distrust, pride, envy and other selfish passions) in their own lives; they can also offer financial, professional and moral support to national and international institutes whose aim is to aid developing nations and work for cooperation among nations. (2304-2306)

13. How should military personnel act in a war?
War does not excuse combatants from the moral law. Military personnel must never act in blind obedience when ordered to commit atrocities such as genocide, which is a grave sin. Civilians, prisoners and the wounded must be treated humanely. Total destruction of cities is condemned. (2313-2314)

14. Is it immoral to accumulate arms?
The over-accumulation of arms is immoral because it increases the risk of conflict, and the expense impoverishes the peoples involved. Further, the production and sale of armaments often promotes violence and conflict among developing nations. (2315-2316)

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (Is 2:4).

15. Is the obligation of bearing arms in the service of one's country binding upon all?
The obligation to serve one's country allows for those who, for reasons of conscience, refuse to bear arms, provided that they agree to serve the community in some other way. (2311)

16. How important is our spiritual well-being?
Our spiritual well-being is even more important than our physical well-being, because life is a gift from God, and we are not destined for this life alone but for eternal life.

17. What else is opposed to the fifth commandment?
Quarreling, fighting, anger, hatred, revenge, drunkenness, and taking or dealing in drugs or other harmful substances are opposed to this commandment. (2302-2303)

18. What did Christ teach us about love and forgiveness?
Christ taught us to pray in the "Our Father":
"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

He has given us the supreme example: from the cross he prayed for all those responsible for his death: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). He also said: "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you..." (Mt 5:44). (2305)

19. Why are anger and hatred contrary to the fifth commandment?
Anger and hatred intend harm or evil to another person, which is directly contrary to the peace which this commandment requires. The sin of anger is not to be confused with the emotion which comes up spontaneously. (2302-2303)

You have heard that it was said "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you..." (Mt 5:43-44).

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