The Gospel of Life: Making the Choice to Love

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Preguntas para discutir el DVD: “El evangelio de la Vida: eligiendo el amor”  

Preparado por la oficina de Pro-Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Boston – [email protected] 

Discussion Questions for "The Gospel of Life: Making the Choice to Love" DVD
Prepared by Pro-Life Office - Archdiocese of Boston

1. In The Gospel of Life DVD, Cardinal Sean explains that our Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person is summarized in the Book of Genesis. The passage he is referring to is Genesis 1.27: "God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them." How does being created in "the image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1:26) affect our understanding of the dignity of the human person? Is human dignity merely a theological belief of Catholics or is it a universal truth? How would you explain the concept of the dignity of the human person to someone who did not believe in the existence of God?

2. Are the words of the Declaration of Independence about the "inalienable" rights of Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court decisions Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton that legalized abortion on demand? If so, how can Catholics and other people of good faith make an argument in the public square about the need to protect the right to life of the unborn?

3. What did Pope John Paul mean by the term "the eclipse of the value of Life"? Can you think of examples of intrinsic wrongs that are considered "personal rights" in our culture? What insights does the Gospel of Life offer in understanding the need for a "consistent ethic of Life" that respects the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death?

4. Do you know any women (or men) who have suffered as a result of abortions? How have they been affected? How have they found help?

5. What are some ways we can fulfill the call in the Gospel of Life to contribute actively to the renewal of society through our pro-life activities?

6. Do you ever get discouraged about the difficulty in changing laws and public attitudes about abortion and the dignity of the human person? What are some ways the Church and the pro-life movement could be more effective in creating public support for the dignity of the human person?

7. How does Pope Benedict's encyclical God Is Love assist our response to a culture where the dignity of the human person is often not respected as the cornerstone of social justice?

8. What is the connection between marriage and "the eclipse of the value of life"?

9. What do you think is the key to understanding and living out the Gospel of Life?

10. The early Christians sometimes faced martyrdom as they lived out their commitment to be followers of Christ. Have you ever shied away from being publicly committed to the pro-life message? Can you think of any contemporary examples of individuals who are role models for living out the Gospel of Life? What attracts you to their message?