A SPIRITUALITYof

HUMAN RIGHTS

Donal Dorr

We need to Focus much more on Human Rights because People are Moved, Outraged by Frequent Gross Abuses of Rights

- E.g. Boy soldiers in Eastern Congo (DRC) taught and encouraged to use RAPE as an instrument of war

- E.g. Personal account of the reality of prostitution by Rachel Moran in her book Paid For

- E.g. Harrowing accounts of treatment of trafficked women and girls

He Challenged Authorities to Defend Rightsof Poor, Sick, and Disabled people, Migrants, Refugees, Prostitutes, and Tax Collectors

He defended their Right to be Assured that theyare Loved and treasured by God

He paid a heavy price – deprived of His Right to Fair Trial, Not to be Tortured, & Right to Life.

Following Jesus is the Heart of a Spirituality of Human Rights

Vindicated by being Raised from Death

– but only three days after he Died

- Respect in Legal Sense: Don’t Interfere (Negative)

- Spiritual Sense of Respect = Reverence Based on Dignity of the Person

Empathize – Tenderness, Sacred Every Person is Image of God See Abuse as ‘Almost Blasphemy’ (Archbishop Rowan Williams)

RESPECT is the Key Basis for a SPIRITUALITY OF RIGHTS

Moral Conversion

Conversion of Our Affectivity so Feelings Come in Line with Morality

Personal Development Work perhaps Counselling, Therapy to Heal the Wounds of the Past

How Develop this Empathy? Requires a Radical Conversion

If Irritated, Focus on the Gifts, and the Gift, of the Person

How Pope Francis was “converted” from being self-assured, authoritarian to being deeply humble – see Paul Vallely, Pope Francis: Untying the Knots, p.144: prolonged Ignatian prayer.

-to challenge individualism, exploitation, and abuse of authorityMt 18:15-16: Dialogue with leaders of State & Church; educate public opinion

Public Challenge when no openness to dialogue or dialogue has Broken Down

FOSTER A CULTURE OF RESPECT

Protest is difficult and risky: Martyrdom or Harsh & Unjust Treatment – an Inspiration and Challenge to Us

Ideally Local, Networked with Others Nowadays it may be a ‘Virtual’ Community e. g. RENATE and its national members, Amnesty, AVAAZ

Campaigning is Exciting but Stressful - We May Lose Touch with Inner Deep Space where Spirit is Nurtured

To be Effective, Spirituality of Human Rights must be by a Community

We may need ‘Time Out’ for Nurturing

1. Members of the RENATE Congregations who work in ‘Source Countries’ can warn people of the dangers, and can help to re-settle returnees.

SOME PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

4. ‘Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights’by United Nations in individual countries: anti-trafficking groups can put pressure on their government to implement suitable legislation.

3. Campaigns such as ‘Turn off the Red Light’ which lobby politicians to change legislation and adopt the SWEDISH/NORDIC MODEL

2. GIVE PRESENTATIONS IN SCHOOLS and to Church groups, women’s or men’s groups etc

Nourish Ourselves by Awe before the Mystery of Creation and Evolution and by Insight into ‘The New Story’

CONCLUSION: Key Words: Respect for Human Dignity, Compassion, Reverence, Tenderness, Solidarity, Concern for Common Good, Empower People to Participate in Decision-Making

We will be Inspired by the Holy Spirit to Cry Out with Jesus in Wonder and Gratitude to the Creator