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Ten Principles of Catholic Ethical BehaviourAfter reading the 10 Principles of Catholic Ethical Behaviour, think about how it can be linked today in the following areas:Refugees & Asylum SeekersHomelessnessWorld debtDisease & FamineEcologyWar & PeacePrincipleDescriptionHow this can be applied todayGod existsGod is good. God is the creator of all that exists. God loves all his creation and his plan for human beings is for happiness now and beyond death.Human beings are created in the image of GodHuman beings are like God. They are made in God’s image (Gen 1:26) and reflect the goodness of God. They are persons, a unity of body and soul, who in their spiritual and physical natures are able to know the goodness of God.People naturally know what is right through the use of their intelligenceBeing like God, human beings are able to think about their experience and arrive at a knowledge of good and evil, by discerning the ‘law written on their hearts’ (Gaudium et Spes, 16)Through reason and reflection everyone can exercise moral wisdom to guide them in making choices and decisions. This moral wisdom reveals that values like life and health, peace and truth, friendship and faith are sources of genuine happiness for everyone.Human beings are capable of sinBecause human beings have free will, they can choose their actions. However, while they are naturally able to know what is good, they often choose what they know is wrong. St paul points to this weakness, present in all people, which Christians call sin:“I can will what is right, but I cannot do it, for I do not do the good that I want but the evil I don’t want is what I do.” (Romans 7:18-19)The word sin refers to those actions a person chooses that damage their relationship with themselves, with others and with God. Catholics claim that the deliberate choice of something we know to be wrong is sinful; acknowledge that, through original sin, the tendency to sinfulness afflicts all people. Because this tendency to sin limits or distorts moral judgement, we need divine guidance.In Christ, God has restored the fullness of life to all people (redemption)In Christ, God has overcome sin. At a certain time or place in history, God took on human nature in Jesus of Nazareth. In his life of sinlessness, a life that ultimately led him to death and resurrection, Jesus Christ gained for us the forgiveness of God, reconciliation with God and eternal life with God.All people are called to a life of being like God, of striving for goodness.Jesus Christ showed people what it is to be fully human (revelation)In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God showed people what it is like to be fully human. Because of the revelation of God’s love for humanity in Christ, every person can live a life based on the truth Jesus taught. We are free to become most fully ourselves, fully alive, the person God calls us to be. Our lives and choices have meaning because of God’s saving action on our behalf.Christ gave an example of how to liveThe basis of Catholic ethics is Christ’s sinlessness. Christians believe that the life of Christ is the model for human choices and decisions.The Christian life is one of faith, hope and love“I have come that you may have this life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)In Christ, Catholics see a life lived in faith, hope and love. A model of how to conduct their lives in ways that incorporate these three virtues. They believe that God exists and that Christ is their model of a full humanity. They have hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God. With such faith and hope they are able to reach out and love others.Christ taught the law of loveJesus Christ stated that the exercise of love is central:“I give you a new commandment that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34)On the basis of this law of love, Catholics can claim that hatred, abuse, discrimination and oppression are always objectively evil.In the example of Christ, and within the framework of God’s saving love, Catholics can make moral choices that run contrary to their own self-interest and can undertake acts of self-sacrifice and courage in the interests of others.Catholic teaching on many ethical issues have been developed through reflection on the life and teachings of Christ. Faithful to him, the Church teaches in his name and with his authority.Catholic teachings on many ethical issues were confirmed by the Second Vatican Council (1962-5)These teachings can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1977) and in the body of the Church by the various popes, the documents of the councils of the Church throughout history, and in the statements of bishops to their dioceses. ................
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