By Kristina Millare
Vatican City, Mar 25, 2025 / 10:45 am
The Vatican recently introduced new pastoral care guidelines dedicated to the protection and promotion of human life in honor of the 30th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae.
Named “Life Is Always a Good: Initiating Processes for a Pastoral Care of Human Life,” the 40-page document released by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life on March 25 emphasizes the Church’s teachings on the inherent dignity of every human being. It serves as a resource for bishops and dioceses worldwide to uphold these principles.
The pastoral framework document underscores the importance of responding to Pope Francis’ call for solidarity and fraternal love in a society that struggles to differentiate between good and evil. It urges the formation of consciences to combat confusion and promote personal and social well-being.
In alignment with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s 2024 declaration Dignitas Infinita, the Vatican’s guidelines aim to address violations of human dignity such as abortion, surrogacy, euthanasia, human trafficking, and sexual abuse.
The document encourages local Churches to implement formation initiatives that emphasize the sanctity of every human life, regardless of circumstances. It underscores the need to protect human dignity from conception to natural death, promoting a culture that values and respects every individual.
