Donum Vitae

Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation

Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith1987-02-22Current

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Overview

Sets out moral principles for respect owed to human embryos and evaluates reproductive technologies, experimentation, artificial procreation, and civil law.

Why This Document Matters

It is a foundational Catholic bioethics document and the direct doctrinal predecessor of Dignitas Personae.

Historical Context

Prepared after consultation with bishops, theologians, physicians, and scientists in response to rapidly developing reproductive technologies and approved by St. John Paul II.

Authority and Status

Genre: Doctrinal Instruction
Authority class: Doctrinal Instruction of the Church’s doctrinal dicastery, approved or authorized by the Roman Pontiff as stated in the document
Juridical force: Doctrinal or disciplinary according to the document’s stated scope
Current status: Current
Promulgated: 1987-02-22

A doctrinal-dicastery text whose authority is determined by its genre, contents, papal approval, and the authority of the teachings it reiterates.

Key Points

Human Dignity & LifeMarriage & FamilyMoral Theology

Major Themes

Human Dignity & LifeMarriage & FamilyMoral Theology

Document Relationships

Related records: Dignitas Personae; Evangelium Vitae

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Official Text

Donum Vitae

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

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