Human Dignity

Dignitas Infinita
on Human Dignity

"Dignitas Infinita" ("Infinite Dignity"), was released from the Vatican on April 8, 2024, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Declaration reflects on and clarifies Catholic teaching on human dignity, including current situations that violate the inherent dignity of human beings. It clarifies the most critical aspect of the concept of dignity, namely ontological dignity, which belongs to a person only because he or she is “willed, created, and loved by God.” Ontological dignity cannot disappear, regardless of any circumstance or stage of human development, because it does not originate from humans.

Human dignity is often used in vague terms to serve particular ideological purposes. Therefore, the Church clarifies the concept, so Catholics “cannot separate faith from the defense of human dignity, evangelization from the promotion of a dignified life, and spirituality from a commitment to the dignity of every human being.”

Below are links to reflections on particular sections of Dignitas Infinita. May we all continue to advocate for laws that respect and uphold the dignity of human life in all stages and circumstances in Ohio, the United States, and throughout the world.

Abortion & Violence Against Women >

Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia >

Drama of Poverty & Travail of Migrants >

Gender Ideology >

Marginalization of People with Disabilities >

Surrogacy >

Those Incarcerated & The Death Penalty >