Faith Communities as Promoters of Human Rights SisterJeannine Gramick, SL San Salvador, March 14, 2013

Catholic faith community promotes human rights. Why? A. Wisdom of the Community - Catholic Social Teaching 1986- Letter to Bishops on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action, and in law. N 10 What is essential is that the fundamental liberty which characterizes the human person and gives him his dignity be recognized as belonging to the homosexual person as well. N. 11 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. Par 2358 2013 (Feb. 4) -Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Pontifical Council for the Family support legal protection for unmarried couples (not same-sex marriage) find private law solutions to prevent injustice & make their life easier oppose discrimination and criminalization of homosexuality gay people have the same dignity as all of Gods children In the world there are 20 or 25 countries where homosexuality is a crime. I would like the church to fight against all this. B. Scriptures - Nothing on LGBT but on human rights Genesis 1:26. Then God said, Let us make human in our image, after our likeness. Galatians 3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Matt 25:40. Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. C. Human Consciousness Reason tells us to promote human rights it is a moral imperative Human consciousness grows- cf. slavery--because of debt, booty of war, skin color, human trafficking of women & children UN resolution supporting LGBT human rights June 17, 2011