What on a breakpoint, a daily look at an ever-changing culture through the lens of

unchanging truth?

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street.

Earlier this month, the Vatican released a declaration on human dignity under the title

infinite dignity. The document offered significant clarity about important

cultural issues especially given the series of confusing claims by Pope Francis. For example, last December the Pope the to perform such blessings during mass and were only blessing individuals and not

sanctioning the relationships is morally acceptable, progressive Catholics and

many observers saw the statement as a step toward acceptance of so-called same-sex marriage within the Roman

Catholic Church. In contrast, this latest declaration from the Vatican leaves no

such ambiguity, especially about issues related to sexuality and gender.

Specifically, the document connects these issues

to the notion of human dignity,

and then clarifies what dignity entails.

Therefore, it cannot be confused by those who wish to see the morality of these issues evolve or who

determined the morality based on connecting dignity to things like self-determination or autonomy.

The declaration plainly states that dignity is rooted in the love of the Creator,

who's permanently marked each person with his image.

As such, our dignity is, quote, neither claim nor deserve, nor can it be taken away.

The document also reminds readers that humans possess dignity not only in respect to their

souls and minds, but also in their very bodies.

Human persons, made in the image of God,

are created a unity of body and soul,

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