<\/p>\n
Human Rights: What Must the State Protect?<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
The Church on Government<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The political community exists\u2026for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy\".\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a><\/span> In other words: The sole reason for the existence of governments is to promote the Common Good<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n![\"There](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/hires_130121-M-YO938-215.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
These are the Human Rights the State Must Safeguard<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Human Rights the State Must Protect<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
So, what are the most important human rights the State must protect?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMuch like (Rerum Novarum)<\/a><\/span> identifies workers\u2019 rights, (Centesimus Annus, 47)<\/a> identifies the rights government must protect and promote: \"Among the most important of these rights mention must be made of...\"<\/p>\n\n- \"The right to life<\/strong>, an integral part of which is the right of the child to develop in the mother\u2019s womb from the moment of conception\"
<\/span><\/li>\n- \"The right to live in a united family\"<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to live in a moral environmen<\/strong>t conducive to the growth of a child\u2019s personality\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to develop one\u2019s intelligence and freedom<\/strong> in seeking and knowing the truth\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to<\/strong>\u00a0share in the work<\/strong> which makes wise use of the earth's material resources and to derive from that work the means to support oneself and one's dependents\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to freely establish a family<\/strong>, to have and rear children through the responsible exercise of one\u2019s sexuality\".<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Most Important Right<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"In a certain sense, the source and synthesis of these rights is religious freedom<\/strong>, understood as the right to live in the truth of one's faith and in conformity with one's transcendent dignity as a person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Under Attack<\/span><\/h2>\n
Despite that \"religion itself\u2026is part of the culture of every people and every nation.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0this \u201csource and synthesis\u201d of all other rights is under attack \u2013 globally! \"The global median level of government restrictions on religion \u2013 that is, laws, policies and actions by officials that impinge on religious beliefs and practices \u2013 continued to climb, reaching an all-time high\". (Pew Forum)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Church's Warning<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected.\" <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"With time, such distortions of political conduct create distrust and apathy, with a subsequent decline in the political participation and civic spirit of the general population, which feels abused and disillusioned.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church Continues to Build on These Rights<\/span><\/h2>\n
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\"Religious freedom does not mean religious indifference nor does it imply that all religions are equal.\" Some \"religious and cultural attitudes\u2026end up retarding or even obstructing authentic human development.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"True religious piety consists in loving God with all one\u2019s heart and one\u2019s neighbor as oneself. Religious behavior, therefore, needs continually to be purified from the recurrent temptation to judge others as enemies and adversaries.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDEVELOP ONE'S INTELLIGENCE:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\"True education makes us love life, and it opens us to the fullness of life!\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The right to an education in the right values must never be denied or forgotten. The duty to teach these values must never be curtailed or enfeebled by any kind of national or supranational political interest. For this reason, it is necessary to educate in the truth and for the truth\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"A school\u2019s mission is to develop the sense of the true, the sense of the good and the sense of the beautiful\u2026together these elements make us grow and help us to love life, even when we are unwell, even amid difficulties.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTHE RIGHT TO WORK:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\"Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth\". (Pope Francis, 128)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"[T]here is no worse material poverty, I am keen to stress, than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI reflected on the question: \"What is meant by the word \u2018decent\u2019 in regard to work? It means work that\u2026\"<\/span>\u00a0(Caritas in Veritate, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Expresses one's \"essential dignity\"<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Is freely chosen\"<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Enables respect and freedom from discrimination<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Allows \"families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children<\/strong>, without the children themselves being forced into labor\";<\/span><\/li>\n
- Permits free organization of workers<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Leaves enough room for rediscovering one\u2019s roots<\/strong> at a personal, familial and spiritual level\";<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Guarantees<\/strong> those who have retired<\/strong> a decent standard of living<\/strong>.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n7 Indispensable Rights the Government Must Defend [Infographic]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDemocracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe 2025 Government Shutdown<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Politics<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
The Church on Government<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The political community exists\u2026for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy\".\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a><\/span> In other words: The sole reason for the existence of governments is to promote the Common Good<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
These are the Human Rights the State Must Safeguard<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Human Rights the State Must Protect<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
So, what are the most important human rights the State must protect?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMuch like (Rerum Novarum)<\/a><\/span> identifies workers\u2019 rights, (Centesimus Annus, 47)<\/a> identifies the rights government must protect and promote: \"Among the most important of these rights mention must be made of...\"<\/p>\n\n- \"The right to life<\/strong>, an integral part of which is the right of the child to develop in the mother\u2019s womb from the moment of conception\"
<\/span><\/li>\n- \"The right to live in a united family\"<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to live in a moral environmen<\/strong>t conducive to the growth of a child\u2019s personality\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to develop one\u2019s intelligence and freedom<\/strong> in seeking and knowing the truth\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to<\/strong>\u00a0share in the work<\/strong> which makes wise use of the earth's material resources and to derive from that work the means to support oneself and one's dependents\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to freely establish a family<\/strong>, to have and rear children through the responsible exercise of one\u2019s sexuality\".<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Most Important Right<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"In a certain sense, the source and synthesis of these rights is religious freedom<\/strong>, understood as the right to live in the truth of one's faith and in conformity with one's transcendent dignity as a person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Under Attack<\/span><\/h2>\n
Despite that \"religion itself\u2026is part of the culture of every people and every nation.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0this \u201csource and synthesis\u201d of all other rights is under attack \u2013 globally! \"The global median level of government restrictions on religion \u2013 that is, laws, policies and actions by officials that impinge on religious beliefs and practices \u2013 continued to climb, reaching an all-time high\". (Pew Forum)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Church's Warning<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected.\" <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"With time, such distortions of political conduct create distrust and apathy, with a subsequent decline in the political participation and civic spirit of the general population, which feels abused and disillusioned.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church Continues to Build on These Rights<\/span><\/h2>\n
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\"Religious freedom does not mean religious indifference nor does it imply that all religions are equal.\" Some \"religious and cultural attitudes\u2026end up retarding or even obstructing authentic human development.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"True religious piety consists in loving God with all one\u2019s heart and one\u2019s neighbor as oneself. Religious behavior, therefore, needs continually to be purified from the recurrent temptation to judge others as enemies and adversaries.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDEVELOP ONE'S INTELLIGENCE:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\"True education makes us love life, and it opens us to the fullness of life!\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The right to an education in the right values must never be denied or forgotten. The duty to teach these values must never be curtailed or enfeebled by any kind of national or supranational political interest. For this reason, it is necessary to educate in the truth and for the truth\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"A school\u2019s mission is to develop the sense of the true, the sense of the good and the sense of the beautiful\u2026together these elements make us grow and help us to love life, even when we are unwell, even amid difficulties.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTHE RIGHT TO WORK:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\"Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth\". (Pope Francis, 128)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"[T]here is no worse material poverty, I am keen to stress, than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI reflected on the question: \"What is meant by the word \u2018decent\u2019 in regard to work? It means work that\u2026\"<\/span>\u00a0(Caritas in Veritate, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Expresses one's \"essential dignity\"<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Is freely chosen\"<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Enables respect and freedom from discrimination<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Allows \"families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children<\/strong>, without the children themselves being forced into labor\";<\/span><\/li>\n
- Permits free organization of workers<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Leaves enough room for rediscovering one\u2019s roots<\/strong> at a personal, familial and spiritual level\";<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Guarantees<\/strong> those who have retired<\/strong> a decent standard of living<\/strong>.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n7 Indispensable Rights the Government Must Defend [Infographic]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDemocracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe 2025 Government Shutdown<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Politics<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"The political community exists\u2026for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy\".\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a><\/span> In other words: The sole reason for the existence of governments is to promote the Common Good<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
These are the Human Rights the State Must Safeguard<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Human Rights the State Must Protect<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
So, what are the most important human rights the State must protect?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMuch like (Rerum Novarum)<\/a><\/span> identifies workers\u2019 rights, (Centesimus Annus, 47)<\/a> identifies the rights government must protect and promote: \"Among the most important of these rights mention must be made of...\"<\/p>\n\n- \"The right to life<\/strong>, an integral part of which is the right of the child to develop in the mother\u2019s womb from the moment of conception\"
<\/span><\/li>\n- \"The right to live in a united family\"<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to live in a moral environmen<\/strong>t conducive to the growth of a child\u2019s personality\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to develop one\u2019s intelligence and freedom<\/strong> in seeking and knowing the truth\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to<\/strong>\u00a0share in the work<\/strong> which makes wise use of the earth's material resources and to derive from that work the means to support oneself and one's dependents\".<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"The right to freely establish a family<\/strong>, to have and rear children through the responsible exercise of one\u2019s sexuality\".<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Most Important Right<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"In a certain sense, the source and synthesis of these rights is religious freedom<\/strong>, understood as the right to live in the truth of one's faith and in conformity with one's transcendent dignity as a person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Under Attack<\/span><\/h2>\n
Despite that \"religion itself\u2026is part of the culture of every people and every nation.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0this \u201csource and synthesis\u201d of all other rights is under attack \u2013 globally! \"The global median level of government restrictions on religion \u2013 that is, laws, policies and actions by officials that impinge on religious beliefs and practices \u2013 continued to climb, reaching an all-time high\". (Pew Forum)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Church's Warning<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected.\" <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"With time, such distortions of political conduct create distrust and apathy, with a subsequent decline in the political participation and civic spirit of the general population, which feels abused and disillusioned.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church Continues to Build on These Rights<\/span><\/h2>\n
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\"Religious freedom does not mean religious indifference nor does it imply that all religions are equal.\" Some \"religious and cultural attitudes\u2026end up retarding or even obstructing authentic human development.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"True religious piety consists in loving God with all one\u2019s heart and one\u2019s neighbor as oneself. Religious behavior, therefore, needs continually to be purified from the recurrent temptation to judge others as enemies and adversaries.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDEVELOP ONE'S INTELLIGENCE:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\"True education makes us love life, and it opens us to the fullness of life!\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The right to an education in the right values must never be denied or forgotten. The duty to teach these values must never be curtailed or enfeebled by any kind of national or supranational political interest. For this reason, it is necessary to educate in the truth and for the truth\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"A school\u2019s mission is to develop the sense of the true, the sense of the good and the sense of the beautiful\u2026together these elements make us grow and help us to love life, even when we are unwell, even amid difficulties.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTHE RIGHT TO WORK:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\"Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth\". (Pope Francis, 128)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"[T]here is no worse material poverty, I am keen to stress, than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI reflected on the question: \"What is meant by the word \u2018decent\u2019 in regard to work? It means work that\u2026\"<\/span>\u00a0(Caritas in Veritate, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Expresses one's \"essential dignity\"<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Is freely chosen\"<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Enables respect and freedom from discrimination<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Allows \"families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children<\/strong>, without the children themselves being forced into labor\";<\/span><\/li>\n
- Permits free organization of workers<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Leaves enough room for rediscovering one\u2019s roots<\/strong> at a personal, familial and spiritual level\";<\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Guarantees<\/strong> those who have retired<\/strong> a decent standard of living<\/strong>.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n7 Indispensable Rights the Government Must Defend [Infographic]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDemocracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe 2025 Government Shutdown<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Politics<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
So, what are the most important human rights the State must protect?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Much like (Rerum Novarum)<\/a><\/span> identifies workers\u2019 rights, (Centesimus Annus, 47)<\/a> identifies the rights government must protect and promote: \"Among the most important of these rights mention must be made of...\"<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \"With time, such distortions of political conduct create distrust and apathy, with a subsequent decline in the political participation and civic spirit of the general population, which feels abused and disillusioned.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"Religious freedom does not mean religious indifference nor does it imply that all religions are equal.\" Some \"religious and cultural attitudes\u2026end up retarding or even obstructing authentic human development.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"True religious piety consists in loving God with all one\u2019s heart and one\u2019s neighbor as oneself. Religious behavior, therefore, needs continually to be purified from the recurrent temptation to judge others as enemies and adversaries.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n DEVELOP ONE'S INTELLIGENCE:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \"True education makes us love life, and it opens us to the fullness of life!\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"The right to an education in the right values must never be denied or forgotten. The duty to teach these values must never be curtailed or enfeebled by any kind of national or supranational political interest. For this reason, it is necessary to educate in the truth and for the truth\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"A school\u2019s mission is to develop the sense of the true, the sense of the good and the sense of the beautiful\u2026together these elements make us grow and help us to love life, even when we are unwell, even amid difficulties.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n THE RIGHT TO WORK:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \"Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth\". (Pope Francis, 128)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"[T]here is no worse material poverty, I am keen to stress, than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the question: \"What is meant by the word \u2018decent\u2019 in regard to work? It means work that\u2026\"<\/span>\u00a0(Caritas in Veritate, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n 7 Indispensable Rights the Government Must Defend [Infographic]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n A Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Democracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Top 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Top 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Quotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The 2025 Government Shutdown<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n
<\/span><\/li>\nThe Most Important Right<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"In a certain sense, the source and synthesis of these rights is religious freedom<\/strong>, understood as the right to live in the truth of one's faith and in conformity with one's transcendent dignity as a person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 47)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Under Attack<\/span><\/h2>\n
Despite that \"religion itself\u2026is part of the culture of every people and every nation.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0this \u201csource and synthesis\u201d of all other rights is under attack \u2013 globally! \"The global median level of government restrictions on religion \u2013 that is, laws, policies and actions by officials that impinge on religious beliefs and practices \u2013 continued to climb, reaching an all-time high\". (Pew Forum)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Church's Warning<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected.\" <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church Continues to Build on These Rights<\/span><\/h2>\n
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t