THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING AND HUMAN RIGHTS

1. THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING ANDHUMAN RIGHTS

2. A RECURRING THEME … • In the • Social Teaching • of the Church • (Scripture and Church Teaching) • Is that Religion • has got a lot to do with LIFE, • upholding the dignity • of the human person and • the sacredness of human rights

3. Paul VI defines evangelization as an activity of • Paul VI defines evangelization as an activity of • carrying forth the good news to every sector of human life: • ·so that the good news may enter into the hearts of men and renew them, • · bringing about interior transformation to live in accordance with the gospel values.

4. In Amos 5. 21-24, the Lord says, • “ I hate your religious festivals; • I cannot stand them! • When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings I will not accept them. … stop your noisy songs; • Instead let justice flow like a stream and righteousness like a river • that never goes dry.”

5. In Isiah, 1. 15-17God says, : • “ When you lift your hands in prayer, • I will not look at you…… • for your hands are covered with blood…….. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. … • See that justice is done – • help those who are oppressed, • give orphans their rights and • defend the widows.”

6. In Mt. 9,13 we are told….. • “It iskindnessthat I want, • NOT • animal sacrifice…”

7. John in 1,Jn 4,20 says • , “ if anyone says, :I love God” and he hates his brother, he is a liar…… we received from him this commandment; • let him who loves God • also love • his brother.”

8. Paul VI defines evangelization as an activity of • carrying forth the • GOOD NEWS • to every sector of human life • so that the good news may • ENTER into the hearts of men and • RENEW them, bringing about interior TRANSFORMATION to live in accordance with the gospel values.

9. John Paul II says, • i.“People who are indifferent • to the sufferings of the poor • are not worthy • to partake of • the sacrament.”

10. It is clear from the above, • that our • life and our worship • are just two sides of one coin. • Worship and life • cannot be • two compartments.

11. LET US ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THAT • Faith is not just an assent • of the mind • BUT • a commitment to and • a living out • of what we believe in.

12. THE BASIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS MAN IS THE IMAGE OF GOD. • This doctrine, • which gives • dignity to the human person, • finds expression in various ways • in the • Social Teaching of the Church.

13. Catholic Social Teaching took formal shape only by the end of the nineteenth century • . • Only with Pope Leo XIII did the Catholic Church begin to articulate in its official teachings, consciously and systematically, the aspects of social justice and its implications

14. PAPAL TEACHING SINCE 1891 • 1891 – Rerum Novarum of Leo XIII -problems of the workers. Protects workers’ rights to organize into associations and seek just wages and working conditions. • 1931 – Quadregessimo Anno of Pius XI denounces the evils of capitalism and speaks up for the rights of the workers and of women. • 1961 - Mater et Magister of John XXIII • makes Christian social doctrine an integral part of Christian life:calls Christians to work for a more just order.

15. 1963 – Pacem in Terris of John XXIII lays an emphasis on rights… “As such he has rights and duties , which together flow as a direct consequence from his nature.” (Pacem in Terris, 1963, paragraph 9) John XXIII indeed affirms the full range of human rights as the basis of peace and recognizes that all nations have equal dignity and right to self development.

16. “The Church, therefore, by virtue of the Gospel committed to her… • proclaims • the rights of man; • she acknowledges and greatly esteems • the dynamic movements of today • by which • these rights • are everywhere fostered” • Vat. II: Gaudium et Spes, 1965, Paragraph 28

17. 1967 – Populorum Progressio of Paul VI criticizes the evils of colonialism pleads for land reforms and a war on hunger. He affirms the rights of poor nations to full human development. • 1971 – Justice in the World (Bishops Synod) Supports adherence to the UN Declaration of Human Rights and affirms the rights of farm workers, refugees, migrants, women and laity. It proclaims “ action on behalf of justice …. fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the gospel…”

18. 1979 – Redomtor Hominis of John Paul II • Places • human development • in the context of • Christ’s redemptive action and • deplores the violation of Human Rights.

19. 1987 – Solicitudo Rei Socialis of John Paul II, • talks of the intolerable poverty, • N-S divide, illiteracy, unemployment, denial of human rights…. • And asks for solidarity in the work of respecting human rights…

20. 1991 – Centesimus Annus of John Paul II • roundly • condemns totalitariansm and • its denial of human rights • And speaks up for • the rights of the marginalized and • the poor, the women, the children and the not yet born.

21. A huge landmark in the history of mankind is • the adoption of the • UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF • HUMAN RIGHTS • by the United Nations • (all the members of the human family) • on December 10, 1948.

22. The challenge of Scripture, Church teaching and the UDHR… • To apply their prophetic spirit • to our local realities.

23. I like very much the following passage from the Acts of the Apostles: “When the man crippled from birth saw Peter and John on their way into the temple, he asked for alms. … Peter said,”I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, get up and walk.” And he took the beggar by the right hand and helped him up. At once his feet and his ankles became firm, and jumping up stood on his feet and began to walk.”

24. THE HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH • EMPOWERS PEOPLE • TO STAND UP AND WALK.

25. A Call to empowerment: Story of an illiterate adivasi woman who changed my life…

26. Confirmation that empowerment works… Women speaking out at Gramsabhas and getting things done …. Women managing their own business in SHGs…..  Boys and girls and even women of mahila mandals writing out their own affidavits and getting their caste, domicile and other certificates….

27. Confirmation that empowerment works Adivasis getting compensation ,within three years,for their lands lost in Highway extension… Adivasis being elected to Gram Panchayat.

28. TODAY…. Very good work among the poor is being done by the Church in the Educational, health, social and technical fields.

29. Complement and Supplement this by empowering them to stand on their own feet, without fear and with a sense of dignity.

30. A lot of empowerment can be done by imparting Knowledge of human rights Knowledge of laws and schemes backing these human rights and…

31. And….. arming people with the following weapons to get their human and legal rights by:       * Knowledge of official procedures * Instilling self confidence through capacity building         * Training in Panchayati Raj         * Right to Information        * Redressal Mechanisms etc. * Mobilization

32. Level I Level II Level III Conscientization Kn. Of law and Rights I + I + II + Kn. Of Procedures Advocacy Organization Redressal Mech Lobbying Mobilization of People Confidence Bldng THREE LEVELS OF EMPOWERMENT

33. What are human rights??? Human Rights are by nature : i. Something BELONGING to me - mine… ii.INHERENT. They arise from human nature itself. We are born with human rights.They are not acquired or given by any earthly Authority. They are God-Given. People should be treated with justice because it is their right, and not because they are in need.

34. When robber robs something from my house , I run after him and catch him and get back my things…. Why?? Because that thing belongs to me and I have a right to it. When I am denied my rights, I am robbed of something that is intrinsically MINE. (gentleman -robber) Denial of rights is a theft… Why do we not react to denial of human rights as we react to thieves??

35. DENIAL OF RIGHTS IS A SIN Today there is Daylight robbery of Rights: e.g. rations… right to decide at gramsabhas, indira gharkuls,Education of children, schemes,health and medicines, rights of women, Right of free expression… There is also a lot of robbery of rights by Church personnel too!!!!

36. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE ALSO *UNIVERSAL – they apply to everyone, everywhere, at all times. Aren’t servants and class 4 workers deprived of some rights sometimes. * INALIENABLE - While they may be violated, they cannot be taken away or given away.People have to be always treated with respect and dignity. *INTER-DEPENDENT AND interrelated rather than each right being discrete and completely separate.

37. They lived their rights…. 1.Baby lion 2. Rani and Moti 3. Son denied his property 4. Medha Patkar in College and now…. Empowerment is really consciousness raising

38. Rights have to be obtained… No one is going to offer you your rights on a platter. You will first have to become conscious of them and then fight to get them. Ambedkar’s mantra to the dalits…. Shika, Sanghatit vha, sangharsha kara

39. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY DUTIES. • ONE WHO THINKS OF • HIS RIGHTS ONLY • AND FORGETS • HIS DUTIES • IS NO LONGER HUMAN. • HE SLOWLY TURNS INTO A DEVIL.

40. Human Rights should always have • A HUMAN FACE • Human Rights have a human face when: • we rise above our selfishness and • think of other human beings too. • - we take responsibility for the human race • When Rights are not interpreted solely • from an individualistic point of view.

41. ONCE CONFLICT IS RESOLVED there is place for reconciliation and peace.Actually there can be NO peace without justice…. And true justice must always end in peace and fellowship.

42. IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH • HUMAN Rights Analysis: We must analyse the situation in terms of human rights… identify the rights involved, the duty bearers,actions needed for realization… 2. Holding Duty Bearers Responsible. Duty Bearers can be Primary or secondary. 3. THREE BASIC DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT:

43. DUTIES OF GOVERNMENTS They have the obligation to • Respect Human Rights:- this involves making sure that laws, policies and administrative practices do not contravene human rights. b. Protect Human Rights: The government must act to prevent others, including corporation and individuals from violating human rights.Complaints mechanisms… c. Fulfill Human Rights: Governments must set in place poicies and regulations that enable all to access their entitlements. State resources to the poorest…

44. Individuals, Organizations and Corporations also have a duty to respect human rights

45. FEATURES OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH cont… 3. Progressive Realization of Human Rights A lack of resources does not relieve a government of its obligations to fulfill rights.They must demonstrate that they have allocated their MAXIMUM AVAILABLE resources… 4. Participation: Meaningful (making a difference to decision making),Active and informed Participation and Ownershipby all relevant stakeholders at each stage.This also guarantees that the benefits of development are shared by all more equitably.

46. 5. Accountability: Holds governments accountable. For this it is necessary to know the mechanisms of accountability. 6. Responsibility for poverty reduction is a universal obligation.This has important implications for the conduct of NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL affairs.

47. It calls for * an adequate flow of financial and technical assistance from the rich to the poor countries and * for active efforts to establish equitable AND JUST systems of multilateral trade, investment and finance

48. Characteristics of the Human Rights Approach CHARITY/WELFARE APPROACH VS THE RIGHTS BASED APPROACH Needs based Approach Human Rights based Approach ( Welfare/Charity Approach) (Dharamdan padatt)  1.     Needs are satisfied – Charity. 1. Human Rights are realized – justice done. No obligations are implied. There are legal obligations on the part of all duty bearers. Can even hold Governments responsible. 2.When confronted with needs, 2. Attitude of policy makers changes. Concerned people/Authority does not Has legal obligation to do Feel need of changing policy etc.something. 3. Needs are not Universal 3. Human Rights are Universal. 4. Needs can be ranked and tackled 4. Human rights are Indivisible and one at a time Interdependent holistic  approach.

49. CHARITY/WELFARE APPROACH VS THE RIGHTS BASED APPROACH 5 Charity is given 5. Rights are claimed. 6. 6 Charity overlooks justice – brings 6 Rights cannot be a false peace. overlooked N 7 No empowerment 7. Essentially about empowerment. 8. 8 Assumes that we know what needs 8. People decide. 9 Measures outcome in terms of 9. Measures outcome in fulfillment of needs. Human rights terms. . 10 Participation of people is not 10. participation of people is essential - practiced in formulation, implementation & Monitoring is essential. People Owned. Fundamental human right.

50. 11 No accountability – 11.Utilizes mechanisms of generosity and Accountability. Charity admired. 12. Crically looked at 13. Begging, Pleading, 13. Naming and Shaming 14. Thankful… grateful. 14. Sense of confidence and dignity.