6. – Committed to the cause of justice and peace

The topic of human rights is currently an exceptional platform, a common ground for dialogue between our faith and secular culture. In spite of different interpretations, there exists a common language and a common task which make it possible to bring the light of faith to bear on contemporary culture. The Church in our time needs meeting places where a dialogue between faith and culture can be carried out, one of the more significant pastoral exigencies of the moment, recognized and proclaimed by the authority of recent Pontiffs. "To carry forward our mission as servants of humanity, we should cultivate a special proximity that will permit us to listen, sincerely, to the voice of a world in transformation. If our proposals are not in tune with present day challenges, dialogue becomes impossible and our presence irrelevant" (Intermediate General Chapter 1998: Augustinians in the church for the world of today, n. 24).

Except for some passing incidents, the decisive contribution of the Church in this process of affirmation of human rights is undeniable. Not in vain has the Christian west been the cradle of the philosophical thought that brought us to the affirmation of the individual person and his or her rights. The Gospel can be found in its roots, as can be seen quite clearly and significantly in the documents of Vatican Council II.

But it is not enough to simply reaffirm these principles. Our mission in the Church requires a certain level of leadership, even in the social dimension, on behalf of the faith. Our words and our actions have to accompany the process of humanization to which the Church aspires, by means of her teaching, to help each human being to discover their authentic transcendent dimension, directed toward God. "The world vision of Christian faith can contribute significantly to the establishment of a global ethic that would permit men and women, without exception, to enjoy equal rights and a new world order" (Intermediate General Chapter 1998: Augustinians in the church for the world of today, n. 29).

During the course of this year which marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many of the communities of the Order have reflected on its significance and on practical ways of applying this Declaration to their own circumstances. This reflection, faithful to the testimony of our history as a religious Order, must bring us to a greater commitment in favor of the defense and promotion of human rights and freedoms.

As religious we should dedicate ourselves to promoting peace and justice. Human rights are the basis of human existence and coexistence, and therefore have so much civic and ethical significance. Their defense constitutes a very concrete commitment that must be assumed by all humanity. The Pope, in his message for the most recent World Peace Day, asserted: "Justice and peace are not abstract concepts or distant ideals; they are values that constitute a common patrimony and are found in the heart of each person. All are called to live in justice and to work for peace: individuals, families, communities and nations. Nobody is excused from this responsibility" (n. 1).

The concern of the Church for all humanity, and the moral authority of her preaching has made the Church a valiant defender of the rights of all human being. Her prophetic mission does not consist only in denouncing the violations of these rights, but also in promoting respect for them.

As Church we represent in the world a religious and cultural tradition that has provided a substantial base for the proclamation of these rights. As an Order we have an historical commitment to accompany humanity on this path. Recently our Order has been linked as an NGO (non-governmental organization) to the United Nations. That permits us to make our voice heard in an especially meaningful forum, joining our efforts to those of the Delegation of the Holy See and other Catholic organizations represented at the UN. We need to speak out on human rights from our Christian and Augustinian view of life. We should add our voice to that of those who seek the broadening of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to include economic rights and to the consideration of the rights of other collective subjects, such as the family, minorities, peoples and nations. This will be an important contribution to the evangelization to which we have been called, because it will promote the dignity of each human person.

And so I conclude inviting all of our communities, be they convents, missions, parochial or educational in nature, and all those who perform other ministries on behalf of the community, to take concrete initiatives in commemoration of this anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to promote respect for these rights and to contribute to the discovery of their true anthropologic root, from our understanding of the transcendental nature of life and of the human person. In God’s compassion and respect for our freedom we can discover the way. I also invite you to consider the possibility of making Declarations on the local or provincial level on topics related to the dignity of the human person. The Holy Father has repeated frequently his invitation to condone the debt or to concede moratoria to developing countries that find in the weight of this debt an absolute impediment to advance in economic and fundamental social rights.

Uniting our voice to that of the Church can serve as a way of contributing to making the Jubilee year 2000 a particular moment of grace and redemption for all humanity.

In Rome, November 13, 1998, feast of All the Saints of the Order, I greet you fraternally in St. Augustine.

Prot. n. 536/98

Miguel Ángel Orcasitas
Prior General OSA