Civil Rights and Our “Vocation to the Communion of Persons”



Dear Catholic Exchange:

What does the Church teach about civil rights?

Thanks,

Mary

Dear Mary,

Peace in Christ! The question of civil rights would come under the broader heading of the Church’s social doctrine. The social doctrine of the Church exists because of her concern for the temporal affairs of man, inasmuch as these affairs affect the dignity of the human person and man’s ultimate end (cf. Catechism, nos. 2419-20). The Church, by preaching the Gospel, reveals to man “. . .his dignity and his vocation to the communion of persons. She teaches him the demands of justice and peace in conformity with divine wisdom” (no. 2419; emphasis added). Civil rights come from the demands of justice. In fact, justice compels one to respect the rights of others.

There are different kinds of communion that persons live (e.g., marriage, work, business), but one aspect that is shared by all kinds of communion is that man is a social being by nature and therefore obligated to others. This obligation stems from the fundamental right of each individual to develop as a human being. The suppression of one’s civil rights represses personal development and thereby one’s ability to pursue his personal vocation (cf. Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, no. 9). This is what the Church means in referring to her concern for “. . .temporal aspects of the common good because they are ordered to the sovereign Good, our ultimate end. . . . (no. 2420; emphasis added). Persons are not just functional machines; in fact, they are not machines at all, but are persons created in the image and likeness of God; persons who are meant to come to the fullness of their being. Further, persons are to begin this journey now, not later, within the very context of the temporal, transitory world in which they live.

Thus, in civil society, any suppression or oppression of any person’s fundamental dignity, i.e., his vocation to develop as a human being, violates a God-given social right. This is a basic principle must be applied in concrete situations, which vary with time and circumstance. What may have been a “civil rights” issue one hundred years ago may not be one today, but whatever the issue, it must come under the light of the Church’s teaching on human dignity as expressed in the context of her social doctrine. “The development of the doctrine of the Church on economic and social matters attests to the permanent value of the Church’s teaching at the same time as it attests the true meaning of her Tradition, always living and active” (Catechism, no. 2421; cf. Centesimus Annus, no.3).

Lastly, the exercise of civil rights, as with any “right,” carries corresponding obligations. If one demands his civil rights but neglects his civic responsibilities, he will tend to exercise his right to the neglect of the rights of others. Rights and responsibilities must find balance for the common good. In addition, one must correctly distinguish genuine rights of persons in society from behavior that is contrary to the common good and the moral law, behavior some wish to indulge in, in the name of civil rights.

I hope this answers your question. If you have further questions on this or would like more information about Catholics United for the Faith, please contact us at 1-800-MY-FAITH (693-2484). Please keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”

United in the Faith,

David E. Utsler

Information Specialist

Catholics United for the Faith

827 North Fourth Street

Steubenville, OH 43952

800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)



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