Human dignity key read of signs of the times

A leading theme of the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council has been “reading the signs of the times.” The signs of the times are clear: human dignity is under grave threat. The Vatican has issued an important new declaration on human dignity. “Dignitas Infinita” is the title of this 23-page document. In its preface, Pope Francis explicitly asked that the document “highlight topics closely connected to the theme of dignity, such as poverty, the situation of migrants, violence against women, human trafficking, war and other themes.” Thus the declaration goes beyond the focus on single issues and throws a spotlight on the much broader field of violations of human dignity.

In an editorial on Vatican Media, Andrew Tornielli, its editorial director, wrote “The new text contributes to overcoming the dichotomy that exists between those who concentrate exclusively on the defense of life that is unborn or dying and forget the other attacks against human dignity, and those, on the other hand, who focus only on the defense of the poor and migrants and forget that life has to be defended from conception to natural death.” The introduction and first three chapters present the genesis and development of the concept of human dignity through history, from its emergence in classical antiquity to its development in the Bible and in Christian thought.

The declaration gives considerable space to explaining the concept of human dignity, starting with the statement that “Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state or situation the person may ever encounter.” It says, “human reason alone” recognizes this principle “which underlies the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights.” It recalls the biblical teaching that “all human beings possess inherent dignity because they are created in the image and likeness of God. It explains that “to be created in the image of God means that every human being is loved and willed by God and, thus, has an inviolable dignity.”

The declaration’s fourth chapter gives attention to 13 broad areas of violations against human dignity, including some new ones in the field of bioethics. It begins by recalling that the Second Vatican Council emphasized that “all offenses against life itself, such as murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia and willful suicide” must be recognized as contrary to human dignity. It affirmed, too, that “all violations of the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, physical and mental torture,” also infringe upon human dignity. Finally, it denounced “all offenses against human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, deportation, slavery, the selling of women and children, working conditions where individuals are treated as mere tools for profit.”

Father Magnano has long been a parish priest with Skagit Valley Catholic churches.