Human Rights are your rights, my rights & everyone's rights.
- Tamara Agavi
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Port Moresby , December 10th- Imagine a world without basic Human Rights , the world would be a very chaotic place to live in, as there would be fighting and disharmony among families, neighbours, and communities.
Now imagine a world where your rights, my rights, and everyone's rights are respected and highly regarded. Annually, the 10th of December is observed as World Human Rights Day, with this year's theme "Our Everyday Essentials," focusing on rights such as safety, food, housing, and a voice as daily necessities.
The Catholic Church views human rights as inherent, universal, and grounded in the dignity of every person, created in God's image, advocating for rights like life, family, work, and religious freedom, while emphasizing responsibilities and the common good, often linking its social teachings to Gospel proclamation, though differing with secular views on certain issues like contraception and abortion. (Millennial Journal)
In April 2021, Pope Francis’s universal intention was for fundamental rights. “We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes, and even in democracies in crisis,” he said then.
Image: Catholic Social Teaching in Action
The Holy Bible amplifies teachings on love of neighbor "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39), how to treat strangers, "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:34) and protecting the poor and vulnerable people in our community "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9
Also reinforcing the teachings of the Bible, saints in the Catholic church fully embody the essence of selflessness, one such was Saint Maria Troncatti, an FMA sister who was recently canonized on the 19th of October 2025, with 6 other Saints, and our very own Papua New Guinean Layman Catechist, who was martyred, St. Peter To Rot.
Sr. Antonette Rebello, FMA, wrote a fitting tribute to the life of St. Maria Troncatti FMA in Volume 6, Issue 2 on Page 9 of the Salesian Bulletin, recently published. Sr. Antonette shared with readers Saint Maria Troncatti's life of servitude to the Shuar people of the Amazon and her value for human life, her mission work as a nurse, surgeon, catechist, teacher, and friend. Sr. Antonette also highlighted St. Maria Troncatti's mission work in the field of medicine, education, and spiritual guidance reflected the Gospel.
The Front cover page of the Salesian Bulletin of Papua New Guinea.
St. Mary Troncatti FMA's mission work lives on in Daughters of Mary Help of Christians ( FMA) to this day , as Sr. Antonette puts it," Today as FMA missionaries working in PNG, we stand on her shoulders ( St. Maria Troncatti FMA), echoing her call to find the marginalized and embrace the forgotten".
Below is a list taken from the Catholic Church’s teaching on human rights which is rooted in its understanding of human dignity and based on every person being created in the image of God. Knowing your rights and the rights of others as a Catholic believer is important as you navigate your faith as a follower of Christ.
Inherent Dignity: The Church teaches that every human being has inherent dignity and worth from the moment of conception to natural death. This dignity is the foundation for all human rights.
Universal Rights: The Church asserts that human rights are universal and apply to every person regardless of race, gender, nationality, or religion. This universality reflects the belief that all people are equal in God’s eyes.
Right to Life: The Church emphasizes the fundamental right to life, asserting that every person has the right to be protected from conception until natural death. This includes opposition to practices such as abortion and euthanasia.
Right to Education and Healthcare: The Church supports the right to education and healthcare as essential for human development and well-being. It advocates for access to these services for all people, particularly the poor and marginalized.
Social Justice: The Church teaches that human rights are closely linked to social justice. This includes the right to work, fair wages, and just working conditions, as well as the right to participate in the cultural, economic, and political life of society.
Solidarity: The Church calls for solidarity with the poor and marginalized, recognizing that human rights must be upheld not just individually but also within the context of community and society. The principle of solidarity emphasizes that the well-being of individuals is connected to the well-being of others.
Subsidiarity: The principle of subsidiarity is important in Church teaching on human rights. It holds that social and political issues should be addressed at the most local level possible, with higher levels of authority intervening only when necessary.
Freedom of Religion: The Church upholds the right to religious freedom, which includes the right to practice one’s faith openly and to change one’s religion if one chooses.
Advocacy and Action: The Church encourages individuals and societies to actively promote and protect human rights through advocacy, education, and practical support, reflecting the Church’s commitment to justice and peace. (List taken from Catholic Social Teaching in Action )
The Catholic Church have different congregations serving under the Church that has the same mission of serving humanity. From serving the rural communities in the hinterlands of Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands, down to the islands, serving the impoverished, caring for the sick, educating the masses, feeding the hungry, counseling the doubtful, all while evangelizing and valuing Human Rights & dignity.