Respecting Human Life
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
A History of Violence (2259-2260)
Cain killing his brother Abel reveals the anger and envy which come from original sin. Man has become the enemy of his fellow man. God said, "the voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground" (Gen 4:8-12).
Scripture frequently reminds us of God's gift (human life) and of man's violence. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image" (Gen 9:6). The Old Testament considered blood as a sign of life (a teaching which is always necessary).
Biblical Directive (2261-2262)
Scripture specifically says: "Do not slay the innocent and the righteous" (Ex 23:7). The deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to man's dignity, to the golden rule and to the holiness of God. This law is universally valid, obliging everyone at all times and all places.
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus went further. He prohibited anger, hatred and vengeance. Later, he asked his disciples to love their enemies. In his Passion, he did not defend himself and he told Peter to put away his sword.
Self Defense - The Principle of Double Effect (2263-2264)
The act of self-defense is not an exception to this prohibition. "The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life and the killing of an aggressor. The one is intended, the other is not" (St. Thomas Aquinas).
Love for oneself is a fundamental principle of morality and defending one's life is not murder even if it results in the death of another.
"If a man, in self-defense, uses more than necessary violence, it is unlawful, whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful" (St. Thomas Aquinas).
The Duty of Self-Defense (2265-2266)
Legitimate defense can be a grave duty for those responsible for the lives of others. Because the unjust aggressor against the common good must be made harmless, legitimate authority has the right to use arms to repel aggressors.
Because the state must curb harmful activity, legitimate authority has the right and duty to inflict punishment proportionate to the offense. This punishment has two effects, primarily to redress the disorder and secondarily to bring about the correction of the guilty party.
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