- ENCYCLICAL LETTER
EVANGELIUM VITAE
- ADDRESSED BY THE SUPREME PONTIFF
- JOHN PAUL II
MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS
- LAY FAITHFUL
ON THE VALUE AND INVIOLABILITY
OF HUMAN LIFE
http://www.bvmtoronto.com/life.html
12. In fact, while the climate of widespread moral uncertainty can in some way be explained by the multiplicity and
gravity of today's social problems, and these can sometimes mitigate the subjective responsibility of individuals, it
is no less true that we are confronted by an even larger reality, which can be described as a veritable structure of
sin. This reality is characterized by the emergence of a culture which denies solidarity and in many cases takes
the form of a veritable "culture of death". This culture is actively fostered by powerful cultural, economic and
political currents which encourage an idea of society excessively concerned with efficiency. Looking at the
situation from this point of view, it is possible to speak in a certain sense of a war of the powerful against the
weak: a life which would require greater acceptance, love and care is considered useless, or held to be an
intolerable burden, and is therefore rejected in one way or another. A person who, because of illness, handicap
or, more simply, just by existing, compromises the well-being or life-style of those who are more favoured tends to
be looked upon as an enemy to be resisted or eliminated. In this way a kind of "conspiracy against life" is
unleashed. This conspiracy involves not only individuals in their personal, family or group relationships, but goes
far beyond, to the point of damaging and distorting, at the international level, relations between peoples and
States.
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