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The phrase '"seamless garment"' refers to the seamless robe of Jesus, which the Gospel of John describes Jesus as having worn to his crucifixion.
In 1971, Roman Catholic pacifist Eileen Egan used St. John the Apostle's phrase to describe a holistic reverence for life. "The protection of life," said Egan, "is a seamless garment. You can't protect some life and not others." Her words were meant to challenge members of the pro-life movement, as well as those who are against capital punishment, to adopt a consistent life ethic. Egan's view was that there is a unity of Catholic teaching when it comes to human life.