<\/p>\n
We are Made in the Image of God<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\u201cThen God said: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness\u201d. So \u201cGod created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them\u201d. (Genesis 1: 26-27)<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"Being](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/The-creation-of-Adam-by-Michelangelo.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Because we are made in the image of God, no one and nothing can devalue or take away our dignity as persons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What Does This Mean?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Being made in the image of God means we share qualities with God<\/strong>!<\/span><\/p>\nIt implies we have a moral conscience, the capacity for understanding good and evil, the ability to love, reason, create, and choose freely.<\/span><\/p>\nBeing made in God's image underscores our inherently relational nature, reflecting God's triune nature (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and His desire for relationship with His creation.<\/span><\/p>\nBeing made in the image of God affirms the inherent worth and equality of every human being, serving as a foundation for principles like human rights and justice.<\/span><\/p>\n\"In comparison with all the other living beings...man has an unmistakable originality<\/strong>.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBeing made in the image of God is a profound reality.<\/span><\/p>\nTo Bear God's Image Has Implications!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Because man \"is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself\u2026all men are called to one and the same goal, namely God Himself\". (Gaudium et Spes, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cAs one created in the image of God, each individual human being has the dignity of a person...<\/em>free, self-giving and entering into communion with others.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAnd this dignity \"is to be respected in all circumstances\u2026because human beings possess an intrinsic worth\". (Pope Francis, 213)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe are \"spirit, soul and body. We are part of this world<\/strong>...while at the same time<\/strong> we are open to an infinite horizon<\/strong>, able to converse with God and to welcome him within us\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\nHuman Dignity, rooted in a correct view of the human person, is the prime principle of the Catholic social doctrine. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1700)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThe Image of God and Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Human Dignity is the prime principle in Catholic social teaching<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\nWhere do human rights come from? Human dignity - from our being made in God\u2019s image. This is \u201cthe basis...of our inviolable human dignity\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn effect, beyond the rights which man acquires by his own work, there exist rights which do not correspond to any work he performs, but which flow from his essential dignity as a person.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhy does Catholic social teaching insist upon inalienable human rights such as the right to life, the right to religious freedom, the right to work, the right to a family, etc.? Because of our human dignity, for which \"respect should be complete, total and unimpeded\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHuman Dignity, rooted in a correct view of the human person, is the prime principle of the Catholic social doctrine. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1700)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAttacks on Human Dignity are Attacks on the Image of God<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u201cNo man may with impunity outrage that human dignity which God Himself treats with great reverence.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 40)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAbortion, euthanasia, consumerism, racism, transgenderism, pornography, and so much more, are tragic and destructive at many levels! But at their core these structures of sin are an attack on the very image of God imprinted on us. <\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI also warned that \"peace is in danger when human dignity is not respected\".\u00a0(Communiqu\u00e9 Announcing the theme of 40th World Peace Day)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe must understand that \u201cFundamental rights are neither created by the lawmaker nor granted to the citizen. The value of human dignity<\/strong>\u2026takes precedence<\/strong> over all political decision-making\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhy? Because \u201cNo one can take away this human right\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe principle of human dignity, rooted in our being made in God\u2019s image, is foundational for forming our consciences and for all decision-making - private and public.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Can I Do?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Much!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBut first our \u201cinner, spiritual unity must be restored<\/strong>, so that faith may be the light and love the motivating force of all [our] actions.\u201d (Pope St. John XXIII, 152)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe have a responsibility to practice CST<\/strong> (human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity) \"in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIs it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI told us \u201c[a]ny tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted.\u201d Because \u201conly when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel.\u201d (Meeting with the Bishops of the U.S.)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis connects with long standing Church teaching<\/strong> going back to, at least, Pope Leo XIII who declared in 1885 that it \u201cis unlawful to follow one line of conduct in private life and another in public, respecting privately the authority of the Church, but publicly rejecting it.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy? \u201c[T]his would amount to joining together good and evil, and to putting man in conflict with himself; whereas he ought always to be consistent, and never in the least point nor in any condition of life to swerve from Christian virtue.\u201d (Immortale Dei, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Francis pointed out, \u201cChristian consistency\u201d is a chief trait of being a Christian. In all things of life, he said, we need \u201cto think like a Christian; to feel like a Christian and to act like a Christian\u201d. (Homily, The Scandal of Inconsistency)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201c[E]qual dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice\u201d. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1938)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe must fight \u201c[n]ew ideologies, characterized by rampant individualism, egocentrism and materialistic consumerism, [which] weaken social bonds\". (Pope Francis, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>We must \u201cRespect, protect, love and serve life, every human life!\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The world exists for everyone, because\u00a0all of us were born with the same dignity<\/strong>. Differences of color, religion, talent, place of birth or residence, and so many others, cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all.\" (Pope Francis, 118)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA Deeper Examination of the Dignity of the Human Person<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHuman Rights Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA List of Human Rights According to the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is the Role of Women?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWho is My Neighbor?<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Human Dignity<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
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\u201cThen God said: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness\u201d. So \u201cGod created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them\u201d. (Genesis 1: 26-27)<\/span><\/p>\n Because we are made in the image of God, no one and nothing can devalue or take away our dignity as persons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It implies we have a moral conscience, the capacity for understanding good and evil, the ability to love, reason, create, and choose freely.<\/span><\/p>\n Being made in God's image underscores our inherently relational nature, reflecting God's triune nature (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and His desire for relationship with His creation.<\/span><\/p>\n Being made in the image of God affirms the inherent worth and equality of every human being, serving as a foundation for principles like human rights and justice.<\/span><\/p>\n \"In comparison with all the other living beings...man has an unmistakable originality<\/strong>.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Being made in the image of God is a profound reality.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs one created in the image of God, each individual human being has the dignity of a person...<\/em>free, self-giving and entering into communion with others.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n And this dignity \"is to be respected in all circumstances\u2026because human beings possess an intrinsic worth\". (Pope Francis, 213)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n We are \"spirit, soul and body. We are part of this world<\/strong>...while at the same time<\/strong> we are open to an infinite horizon<\/strong>, able to converse with God and to welcome him within us\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Human Dignity, rooted in a correct view of the human person, is the prime principle of the Catholic social doctrine. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1700)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Where do human rights come from? Human dignity - from our being made in God\u2019s image. This is \u201cthe basis...of our inviolable human dignity\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn effect, beyond the rights which man acquires by his own work, there exist rights which do not correspond to any work he performs, but which flow from his essential dignity as a person.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Why does Catholic social teaching insist upon inalienable human rights such as the right to life, the right to religious freedom, the right to work, the right to a family, etc.? Because of our human dignity, for which \"respect should be complete, total and unimpeded\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Human Dignity, rooted in a correct view of the human person, is the prime principle of the Catholic social doctrine. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1700)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Abortion, euthanasia, consumerism, racism, transgenderism, pornography, and so much more, are tragic and destructive at many levels! But at their core these structures of sin are an attack on the very image of God imprinted on us. <\/span><\/p>\n Pope Benedict XVI also warned that \"peace is in danger when human dignity is not respected\".\u00a0(Communiqu\u00e9 Announcing the theme of 40th World Peace Day)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n We must understand that \u201cFundamental rights are neither created by the lawmaker nor granted to the citizen. The value of human dignity<\/strong>\u2026takes precedence<\/strong> over all political decision-making\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Why? Because \u201cNo one can take away this human right\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The principle of human dignity, rooted in our being made in God\u2019s image, is foundational for forming our consciences and for all decision-making - private and public.<\/span><\/p>\n But first our \u201cinner, spiritual unity must be restored<\/strong>, so that faith may be the light and love the motivating force of all [our] actions.\u201d (Pope St. John XXIII, 152)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We have a responsibility to practice CST<\/strong> (human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity) \"in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIs it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Benedict XVI told us \u201c[a]ny tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted.\u201d Because \u201conly when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel.\u201d (Meeting with the Bishops of the U.S.)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This connects with long standing Church teaching<\/strong> going back to, at least, Pope Leo XIII who declared in 1885 that it \u201cis unlawful to follow one line of conduct in private life and another in public, respecting privately the authority of the Church, but publicly rejecting it.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Why? \u201c[T]his would amount to joining together good and evil, and to putting man in conflict with himself; whereas he ought always to be consistent, and never in the least point nor in any condition of life to swerve from Christian virtue.\u201d (Immortale Dei, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As Pope Francis pointed out, \u201cChristian consistency\u201d is a chief trait of being a Christian. In all things of life, he said, we need \u201cto think like a Christian; to feel like a Christian and to act like a Christian\u201d. (Homily, The Scandal of Inconsistency)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[E]qual dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice\u201d. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1938)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must fight \u201c[n]ew ideologies, characterized by rampant individualism, egocentrism and materialistic consumerism, [which] weaken social bonds\". (Pope Francis, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"The world exists for everyone, because\u00a0all of us were born with the same dignity<\/strong>. Differences of color, religion, talent, place of birth or residence, and so many others, cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all.\" (Pope Francis, 118)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n A Deeper Examination of the Dignity of the Human Person<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Human Rights Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n A List of Human Rights According to the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What is the Role of Women?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Who is My Neighbor?<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\nWhat Does This Mean?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Being made in the image of God means we share qualities with God<\/strong>!<\/span><\/p>\nTo Bear God's Image Has Implications!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Because man \"is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself\u2026all men are called to one and the same goal, namely God Himself\". (Gaudium et Spes, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Image of God and Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Human Dignity is the prime principle in Catholic social teaching<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\nAttacks on Human Dignity are Attacks on the Image of God<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u201cNo man may with impunity outrage that human dignity which God Himself treats with great reverence.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 40)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Can I Do?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Much!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>We must \u201cRespect, protect, love and serve life, every human life!\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
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