The Gospel Of Life
Pope John Paul II, in Evangelium Vitae, warned of the demise of democracy when laws are made, such as assisted suicide or abortion on demand mentioned in this issue, that fail to recognize the dignity of human life.
“This is what is happening also at the level of politics and government: the original and inalienable right to life is questioned or denied on the basis of a parliamentary vote or the will of one part of the people — even if it is the majority. This is the sinister result of a relativism which reigns unopposed: the ‘right’ ceases to be such, because it is no longer firmly founded on the inviolable dignity of the person, but is made subject to the will of the stronger part. In this way democracy, contradicting its own principles, effectively moves towards a form of totalitarianism” (20.2).
