Pope John Paul ll  Encyclical, The Gospel of Life, states:" 

The value of democracy stands or falls with the values which it embodies and promotes, of course, values such as the dignity of every human person, respect for inalienable human rights, and the adoption of the "common good" as the end and criterion regulating  political life care certainly fundamental and not to be ignored" 

The Holy Father goes on to point out: "The gospel of life is for the whole human society. To be actively pro-life is to contribute to the renewal of society through the promotion of the common good. It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop. A society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the other person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized. There can be no true democracy without a recognition of every person’s dignity and without respect for his or her rights." 

Back to home page