The document discusses the dignity of the human person from a Catholic perspective. It states that human dignity is rooted in being created in the image of God and is fulfilled through divine beatitude. On the part of man, dignity is fulfilled through free will, moral conscience, virtue, and avoiding sin. It then discusses the morality of human acts based on object, intention and circumstances. It defines conscience as a judgment of reason and describes its parts. It defines virtue and how it is acquired. Finally, it discusses how sins can be classified and the consequences of venial sin.

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The Chatechism

2. 1718. In what is the dignity of the human person rooted?
(CCC 1700) The dignity of the human person is rooted in
man’s creation in the image and likeness of God.
1719. Where is the dignity of the human person fulfilled?
(CCC 1700) The dignity of the human person is fulfilled in
his vocation to divine beatitude.

3. 1720. How is the dignity of the human person fulfilled on
the part of man? (CCC 1700) The dignity of the human
person is fulfilled on the part of man through:
1. performing free human acts
2. conforming to moral conscience
3. growing in virtue
4. avoiding sin.

4. H uman Acts
1775. What are the three sources of morality of human
acts? (CCC 1750) The three sources of morality of human
acts, are:
1. the object chosen
2. the intention
3. the circumstances of the action.

5. C onscience
1808. How does Gaudium et Spes 16 call the conscience?
(CCC 1776) Gaudium et Spes 16 calls the conscience “man’
s most secret core and his sanctuary”.
Gaudium et Spes is a Vatican II document, the Pastoral Constitution on the
Church in the Modern World.
1810. Why is conscience a judgment of reason? (CCC
1778) Conscience is a judgment of reason, because
through it man recognizes the moral quality of a concrete
act present, past or future.

6. C onscience
1812. What three parts does conscience include? (CCC
1780) Conscience includes the following three parts:
1. synderesis: the perception of the principles of morality
2. the practical application of the principles of morality
3. judgment about concrete acts yet to be performed or
already performed.

7. T he Virtues
1830. What is a virtue? (CCC 1803) A virtue is an habitual
and firm disposition (= attitude) of intellect and will to do the
good.
1833. How are human virtues acquired? (CCC 1804)
Human virtues are acquired by human effort:
1. education
2. deliberate acts
3. perseverance in struggle.
Human virtues can also be called moral virtues.

8. Sin
1886. How can sins be classified? (CCC 1853) Sins can be
classified according to:
1. their object: e.g. stealing, murdering, lying
2. the virtues they oppose
3. the commandments they violate
4. the other person they involve: God, neighbour, oneself
5. their nature: spiritual or carnal sins
6. the ways in which they are committed: thought, word,
deed or omission.

9. Sin
1897. What are the consequences of venial sin? (CCC
1863) The consequences of venial sin are:
1. a weakening of charity
2. an impeding of the soul’s progress in sanctity
3. the meriting of temporal punishment
4. an increasing disposition toward mortal sin.
Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of eternal happiness.