Rights and Responsibilities
“The Greek City States are the origin of democracy as we know it today, i.e. a system of government based not only on the rights, but the duties of each citizen. In fact, for the Greeks, duties – the responsibility we have to the community – came before individual rights. (The Greeks still had a long way to go, however, on who could participate in democracy ….) During our day in this democracy, many cry out for their rights, but few take responsibility for contributing to the common good. It appears that many seek to take and few to give, worship without sacrifice, love without responsibility, rights without duty. Our baptism, the sacrament of faith, also carries with it certain obligations. In the words of … the letter of Saint James, we are reminded that faith without works is dead, that our faith is expressed in our works, the fulfillment of the responsibilities we have to one another.” (2012 Homily Guide for 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, California Catholic Conference)
If you would like to watch a short video on this principle or theme, please either (a) click on this link: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching or (b) go to www.usccb.org, click on Beliefs and Teachings in the menu bar to drop down options, then click on What We Believe, then click on Catholic Social Teaching in the left column. When the lead video pops up, click on the upper left Playlist icon, and choose the CST 101 theme you are looking for (Rights and Responsibilities).
The dignity of the human person is what gives us the framework for understanding our human rights. Human dignity is respected and the common good is fostered only if human rights are protected and basic responsibilities are met. Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible, and a right to access those things required for human decency – food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing, freedom of religion and family life. The right to exercise religious freedom publicly and privately by individuals and institutions, along with freedom of conscience, needs to be constantly defended. In a fundamental way, the right to free expression of religious beliefs protects all other rights. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities – to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. (from Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship #49)
“The demands of the common good are dependent on the social conditions of each historical period and are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights. These demands concern above all the commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound judicial system, the protection of the environment and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care, the freedom of communication and expression, and the protection of religious freedom. Nor must one forget the contribution that every nation is required in duty to make towards a true worldwide cooperation for the common good of the whole of humanity and for future generations also.” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church #166) More to follow ….
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities – to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. (USCCB)
The US Catholic Bishops offer us an Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching: Do I recognize and respect the economic, social, political, and cultural rights of others? Do I live in material comfort and excess while remaining insensitive to the needs of others whose rights are unfulfilled? Do I take seriously my responsibility to ensure that the rights of persons in need are realized? Do I urge those in power to implement programs and policies that give priority to the human dignity and rights of all, especially the vulnerable?
Education
“All people of whatever race, condition or age, in virtue of their dignity as human persons, have an inalienable right to education. This education should be suitable to the particular destiny of the individuals, adapted to their ability, sex and national cultural traditions, and should be conducive to amicable relations with other nations in order to promote true unity and peace in the world. True education aims to give people a formation which is directed towards their final end and the good of that society to which they belong and in which, as adults, they will have their share of duties to perform” (Vatican Council II, Declaration on Christian Education, #1, Austin Flannery translation).
The Need for Religious Freedom
“Religion and morality are indispensable supports for political prosperity.” (George Washington) “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (John Adams) Because the Constitution is simply a piece of paper that gives people freedom, you have to have a people who are willing to follow what is on the paper. And that doesn’t come naturally to people because our innate nature is to seek our own ends, our own desires. So, how do we learn to do what is right? The logic of our founders went something like this: Do you want to be free? Then you need a republic. To have a republic you need to have a moral people. To have a moral people you need to have religious teaching. Ultimately they believed that … the Christian faith gave us a grace from God that taught us to deny ourselves, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, to do what was right even when it was difficult because it was our duty to God and our duty to our neighbor.” (Dr. Peter Lillback, professor of historical theology and president of Westminster Theological Seminary)