Foundations and Principles of a Reframed Consistent Ethic of Life

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin's Consistent Ethic of Life (CEL) is a moral vision that can be used to uphold consistently the value and dignity of human life in all its stages and circumstances. However, it must be reframed to acknowledge the new ways in which life is threatened today; these include the modern ecological crisis of our common home. This essay seeks to paint a more concrete picture of a reframed CEL. The first part rebuilds the original foundations of Bernardin's moral vision in light of the crisis of our common home. The second part identifies and reframes principles from Catholic social teaching that can guide us in living out this ethic. The essay concludes by pointing out how this reframing does not undermine the original CEL. Rather, such a reframing enhances its foundations, principles, and substance.