Well-formed conscience imperative to defense of life, says Holy Father

Vatican City, Nov 16, 2009 / 10:31 am

At the conclusion of their visit to Rome, Pope Benedict addressed members of Brazil’s National Conference of Bishops, inviting them to continue their evangelization efforts and emphasizing that the well-formed conscience brings about the absolute good of humanity.

Integral to that human good, and to the formation and exercise of conscience, is the defense of life, which is “not just a Christian prerogative” the Pope continued. “The 'people of life' are happy to share their commitment with others in such a way that they may become ever more numerous and the new culture of love and solidarity may grow, for the true good of human civilization,” he told the bishops.

In face of the “growing wave of violence and contempt for human beings” in today’s culture, Benedict XVI encouraged the prelates to speak "to people's hearts" and "to unite their efforts,” reminding the people that they are not merely a human product but “a gift of God welcomed in the loving intimacy between man and woman.”

Essentially, “the conviction - founded on proper reason and the certainty of faith - that human life, from conception to natural death, belongs to God and not to man, gives life that sacred character and individual dignity which justify the only correct legal and moral attitude: one of profound respect," the Pope added.

The Holy Father closed by inviting the bishops to do God’s work, “not with the sadness of those who see only shortcomings and dangers, but with the firm trust of those who know they can be sure of Christ's victory.”