Human Dignity

The Church teaches that human dignity is the bedrock of her social doctrine; every person is made in the image of God and possesses intrinsic, inalienable worth regardless of their status.

Human dignity is a gift that precedes each person. Humankind was created in God's "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26); therefore, every person's dignity is grounded in who they are as God’s creatures, not in their actions or abilities. Human worth is not dependent on one's achievements; it is given freely to all by God.

“Human dignity does not depend on a person’s abilities, wealth or position in life, nor on the right or wrong choices made; instead, it is a gift that precedes and transcends each person, endowed by God as an expression of his unfailing love.” (Magnifica Humanitas)

From the moment of conception to their natural death, every person is worthy of life and respect; they inherit this right simply because God willed them to exist. Human rights belong to all and should never be restricted due to one's race, gender, or economic class.

The value of a person is not based on their effectiveness, status, or earthly success. It does not matter what one achieves or attributes to the material world, everyone deserves respect and charity as it was a gift and a right given straight from God. God’s love is unconditional and therefore, no sin can remove a person’s inherent dignity.

“No sin, failure, humiliation or exclusion can diminish the profound value of a human life that God has willed and called into being.” (Magnifica Humanitas)

Everyone is called to enter into the loving relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit and made to be capable of the kind of love Christ demonstrates in the Gospels. Through Jesus’s actions, we are given a clear example of how we are meant to treat others. Christ did not shy away from the poor and forgotten; in fact, this is who he most often surrounded himself with. He shows especially loving care to the most vulnerable and calls us to do the same, to recognize the infinite amount of dignity in every single person around us.

“As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

1. What is the foundation of the Church's social doctrine?
2. Why can't dignity be earned?
3. Can sin take away a person's inherent dignity? Why or why not?