Evangelium Vitae

Evangelium Vitae, or "The Gospel of Life," Pope John Paul II's 1995 encyclical, addresses practical and moral questions that touch on the sacredness of human life: abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, and capital punishment. In this book, scholars from a wide range of disciplines--law, medicine, philosophy, and theology--and from various religious perspectives discuss and interpret the Pope's teachings on these complex moral issues.

Reaffirming the "greatness and inestimable value of human life," Pope John Paul II discusses in this encyclical letter the present-day legal, ethical, and moral threats to life. In view of today's climate of practical materialism, he addresses, among other issues: abortion artificial reproduction techniques contraception death penalty euthanasia legitimate defense sterilization suicide The Holy Father encourages the faithful to promote and develop the Christian message concerning life, based on the goodness and dignity of life and on the human responsibility to share in the fullness and truth of God's love. In order to build a new culture of human life through prayer and action, he welcomes evangelization efforts and stresses the role of the family in bringing this to fruition. Noting the unique role of women in promoting a "new feminism" that overcomes discrimination, violence, and exploitation, the pope recognizes the witness of love through motherhood and also adds a special word to women who have had an abortion. The letter concludes by looking to Jesus, in order that all may contemplate the life that was made manifest, and to the example and solace of Mary, who is the mother of life.

Rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and Redemtoris Mater and other encyclicals, this book lays the foundations for understanding the teachings of the Catholic Church concerning Mary.

A collection of articles that survey contemporary papal teaching on moral theology, dealing specifically with economics, gender, sexuality and life issues.

Introduction : the productive power of apocalyptic narrative -- New abortion warrior : from right-to-life rhetoric to paramilitary pro-life culture -- From protest to retribution : the guerrilla politics of pro-life violence -- Protection from and for the fetal citizen : the crack baby and the partially born as a millennial pair -- The Gideon story : millennialist conflict as mainstream pro-life narrative -- Making time for America's Armageddon : Bozell's legacy -- Narrating enemies : the Jewish doctor, the lesbian nurse, and the indeterminacy of life -- Conclusion : no new embryos.