Pope speaks out against culture that degrades human life

April 11, 2014 - Pope Francis lashed out on Friday against today’s culture of ‘scrap’ that strips economics of morals, thus degrading human life to a consumer product that can be used and discarded at will. Just as the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say “thou shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality,” the Pope told a group of some 470 members of Italy’s pro-life movement (Movimento per la Vita). “Human life is sacred and inviolable.” “Every civil right is based on the recognition of the first and fundamental right, that of life, which cannot be subordinated to any condition, whether qualitative, economic or ideological,” the Pope said and encouraged the various projects run by the movement. He said today’s culture of “scrap” has given rise to an economics that kills, degrading the human being to a consumer good that can be used and then discarded. One of the most serious risks that our age is exposed to is the divorce between economics and morals, between the possibilities offered by a market equipped with every technological innovation and basic ethical norms, that are disregarded. Hence there is need to strongly oppose any direct attack on life, especially of the innocent and defenceless, and the unborn in the mother’s womb is innocent par excellence.
Protecting life with courage and love in all its phases, is the Gospel witness that every Christian is called too, the Popes said, encouraging the group to do it in a way that everywoman feels she is a person who is welcomed and accompanied. In this regard, he narrated episode when he was a priest. A doctor who performed abortions came up to him with a packet and told him, “Father, I want to leave this with you. These are instruments with which I was performing abortions.” “I have found the Lord, have repented and am now working for life.” Pope Francis urged prayers for this good man.