Human Rights? The next two sections are identified under that
title. What do human rights have to do with catechesis? If
curious, read on: 18. The Church, in her analysis of the soil of
the world, is acutely conscious of everything that injures the
dignity of the human person. She is aware that all human rights
(20) spring from this dignity, the constant object of Christian
concern and commitment. For this reason, she looks beyond mere
“social and economic indices” (21) to embrace also cultural and
religious factors. What interests the Church is above all the
integral development of the human person and of all peoples.(22)
She notes with joy that “a beneficial trend is advancing and
permeating peoples of the earth, making them ever more aware of
the dignity of the individual”.(23) Her vigorous insistence on
respect for human rights and her decisive rejection of all their
violations are clear expressions of that consciousness. The
right to life, work, education, the foundation of a family,
participation in pub