3. - The challenge which this commemoration presents

It has been asserted with insistence that these human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent, in such a way that one can not be asserted in prejudice of others. However, some fundamental principles, such as the right to work or to education, have a low priority in many countries. The primary right, to life, the very root of all other rights, does not always find adequate support, from our Christian perspective on human rights, but rather is interpreted sometimes in an arbitrary and restrictive fashion. The Church understands that, in the name of individual freedom, the fundamental rights of a large number of people are frequently violated due to lack of solidarity, denying many the opportunity of a life with dignity. Also the rights of the unborn are ignored. Therefore the Church, far from silencing her prophetic voice, denounces from the perspective of divine revelation what she considers a threat to human dignity.

The Pope referring to these undeniable qualities of universality and indivisibility asserts:

"These distinctive features need to be asserted with vigor in order to respond to the critique of those who attempt to exploit the argument of cultural specificity in order to cover violations of human rights, and those who impoverish human dignity by denying a legal basis for economic, social and cultural rights" (Message for World Peace Day, January 1,1998, n. 2).

We all form part of this great family that struggles to promote development, to consolidate peace, to guarantee justice and to defend the weak, asserting the rights of all people. We offer our particular contribution enlightened by our faith. This light has not been given to us for our personal benefit, to allow us to enclose our heart and our life in structures that are rigid and distant. Our heart has to be open, full of compassion and benevolence in the face of the problems and needs of others. Our life should signify a commitment to human dignity, bearing witness to the ultimate source of human nobility, received from our Creator and perfected definitively in Jesus Christ. As Christians we should announce "the civilization of love, founded on the universal values of peace, solidarity, justice and freedom, that find in Christ their full manifestation" (John Paul II, Tertio millennio adveniente, 10 Nov. 1994, n. 52; Cfr. also the allocution of John Paul II in the symposium "The Church and the human rights", 15 Nov. 1988).

We need to give witness to our commitment to humanity, as it experiences distress and confusion while reflecting on the transitory nature of things, by providing light from our faith perspective. This points out why it is important for us as religious to celebrate this significant event for humanity. The Holy See has set the standard, convoking recently a convention in commemoration of 50 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.