Church Teaching To one person’s right there corresponds a duty in all other persons.
Those, therefore, who claim their own rights, yet altogether forget or neglect to carry out their respective duties,
are people who build with one hand and destroy with the other.
Civil Rights & Liberties
Every member of society is imbued with a number of rights. With them come responsibilities.
In Catholic terms, a “right” has been defined as a subjective moral power, residing in the person posing it, “to do, hold, or extract something,” which functions through appeal to another’s will through the other’s intellect. It is to be distinguished from might, i.e. the physical force or power to take something away from another. – Fr John Hardon, SJ, Modern Catholic Dictionary
Man’s history of sin begins when he no longer acknowledges the Lord as his Creator and himself wishes to be the one who determines, with complete independence, what is good and what is evil. “You will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:5): this was the first temptation, and it is echoed in all the other temptations to which man is more easily inclined to yield as a result of the original Fall. – Pope Saint John Paul II, Veritatis splendor
The demands of the common good… are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights. These demands concern above all the commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care, the freedom of communication and expression, and the protection of religious freedom. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 164-166
Racism & Discrimination
The unity of the human family is not yet becoming a reality. This is due to obstacles originating in materialistic and nationalistic ideologies that contradict the values of the person integrally considered in all his various dimensions, material and spiritual, individual and community. In particular, any theory or form whatsoever of racism and racial discrimination is morally unacceptable. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 433
Conscience & Religion
The Catholic Church emphasizes, among other rights, the right to religious freedom. Emphasis is given to the paramount value of the right to religious freedom: “all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits”. The respect of this right is an indicative sign of “man’s authentic progress in any regime, in any society, system or milieu.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 320-321
With euthanasia and medically-assisted death and abortion legalized, it is critical that healthcare providers whose deepest moral convictions tell them that such procedures are wrong, not be forced to participate. Catholic teaching says workers should be safeguarded from suffering any affront to conscience or personal dignity. It is a grave duty of conscience to avoid cooperating, even formally, with practices contrary to the Law of God.
Freedom of Speech; Truth, Press, & the Media
Information is among the principal instruments of democratic participation. Participation without an understanding of the situation of the political community, the facts and the proposed solutions to problems is unthinkable.
It is necessary to guarantee a real pluralism in the dissemination of information, ensuring that there are many forms and instruments of information and communications. Special attention must be given to the phenomenon of the news media being controlled by just a few people or groups. This has dangerous effects for the entire democratic system… The media must be used to build up and sustain the human community in its different sectors: economic, political, cultural, educational and religious. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity. The essential question is whether the current information system is contributing to the betterment of the human person; that is, does it make people more spiritually mature, more aware of the dignity of their humanity, more responsible or more open to others, in particular to the neediest and the weakest.
A further aspect of great importance is that new technologies must respect legitimate cultural differences. In the world of the media the intrinsic difficulties of communications are often exacerbated by ideology, the desire for profit and political control, rivalry and conflicts between groups, and other social evils. Moral values and principles apply also to the media…. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 414-416
Gender Equity
The feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society. The first indispensable step in this direction is the concrete possibility of access to professional formation. The persistence of many forms of discrimination offensive to the dignity and vocation of women is due to a long series of conditioning that penalizes women, who have seen themselves relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude… An urgent need to recognize effectively the rights of women in the workplace is seen especially under the aspects of pay, insurance and social security. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 295
Property
Private property and other forms of private ownership of goods “assure a person a highly necessary sphere for the exercise of his personal and family autonomy and ought to be considered as an extension of human freedom … stimulating exercise of responsibility, it constitutes one of the conditions for civil liberty.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 171
The Church’s social doctrine requires that ownership of goods be equally accessible to all, so that all may become, at least in some measure, owners. The world exists for everyone, because all of us were born with the same dignity. Differences of colour, religion, talent, place of birth or residence, and so many others, cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all. As a community, we have an obligation to ensure that every person lives with dignity and has sufficient opportunities for his or her integral development. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 176
Not to share our wealth with the poor is to rob them and take away their livelihood. The riches we possess are not our own, but theirs as well… Other rights having to do with the goods necessary for the integral fulfilment of persons, including that of private property or any other type of property, should in no way hinder [this right], but should actively facilitate its implementation. Fratelli tutti, 188-120
Human Rights
The Church also recognizes a number of Human Rights, including:
– the right to life, an integral part of which is the right of the child to develop in the mother’s womb from the moment of conception
– the right to live in a united family and in a moral environment conducive to the growth of the child’s personality
– the right to develop one’s intelligence and freedom in seeking and knowing the truth
– the right to share in the work which makes wise use of the earth’s material resources, and to derive from that work the means to support oneself and one’s dependents
– and the right freely to establish a family, to have and to rear children through the responsible exercise of one’s sexuality.
The Church also emphases rights to adequate housing; clean water, and secure, nutritious food; education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 151-166
Individual Responsibilities
In human society, to one man’s right there corresponds a duty in all other persons: the duty, namely, of acknowledging and respecting the right in question. Those, therefore, who claim their own rights, yet altogether forget or neglect to carry out their respective duties, are people who build with one hand and destroy with the other. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 156
Subsidiarity
Subsidiarity is the principle that each element of society should serve its proper purpose, and support others in serving theirs, the over-arching goal being to encourage and enable the authentic human development of the individual.
One consequence of this principle is that each individual, and smaller groups of people, should be allowed and expected to make for themselves all the decisions that can responsibly be left to them, rather than to larger groups or greater authorities. A premise of this principle is that we are each responsible for our own salvation, within the limits of the gifts and the challenges with which God has endowed us. This is one of the fundamental social teachings of the Church, since it helps to ensure that each individual is empowered to find his or her own way to God.
Families, Individuals, and Civil Society
It is impossible to promote the dignity of the person without showing concern for the family, groups, associations, local territorial realities; in short, for that aggregate of economic, social, cultural, sports-oriented, recreational, professional and political expressions to which people spontaneously give life and which make it possible for them to achieve effective social growth. This is the realm of civil society… This network of relationships strengthens the social fabric and constitutes the basis of a true community of persons, making possible the recognition of higher forms of social activity.
The political community is established to be of service to civil society, from which it originates… This vision is challenged by political ideologies of an individualistic nature and those of a totalitarian character, which tend to absorb civil society into the sphere of the State. The political community and civil society are not equal in the hierarchy of ends. The political community is essentially at the service of civil society and, in the final analysis, the persons and groups of which civil society is composed.
The State must provide an adequate legal framework for social subjects to engage freely in their different activities and it must be ready to intervene, when necessary and with respect for the principle of subsidiarity, so that the interplay between free associations and democratic life may be directed to the common good. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 185, 417, 418
Subsidiary governments: provinces, municipalities, territories, & Aboriginal societies
The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to various forms of centralization, bureaucratization, and welfare assistance, and to the unjustified and excessive presence of the State in public mechanisms… Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 185
Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan Civil Rights & Liberties
The party states that:
– as a matter of principle under its constitution, it is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with, supremacy of the rule of law, equality of all before the law, and the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all under the law.
– it recognizes that, while collaboration with churches and other religious organizations is permissible, religion has no authority over the lawful actions or operations of these organizations. The party advocates legislation reflecting this principle to ensure the independence of religious entities.
The party advocates:
– rejection of the concept of compelled speech. (Note: Freedom of expression, including the rejection of compelled speech, is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.)
– legislation to prevent financial institutions from mandating the use of digital identification
– prohibition of lockdowns imposed on the citizens of Saskatchewan. (Note: Public health measures, including lockdowns, are typically enacted under provincial health legislation, such as The Public Health Act in Saskatchewan.)
– ensuring that the principle that individual liberty is the legal and moral foundation upon which society is built is upheld
– recognition of the right to own property shall be recognized as a fundamental human right, and ensuring that any Saskatchewan Bill of Rights and Freedoms includes a provision recognizing property rights
– legislation to enshrine individuals’ rights to own and use firearms, ease restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, and simultaneously increase penalties for the criminal use of firearms, and appointment of a provincial Firearms Commissioner whose office will operate independently from the Saskatchewan Police Force and adhere to provincial laws
– mandating that professional accreditation bodies shall monitor their members solely concerning their professional conduct, misconduct, or malpractice within their professional capacity. Legislation shall prevent these bodies from collecting or reporting any information unrelated to the professional needs, such as political affiliation, medical information, or personal opinions.
Green Party of Saskatchewan Civil Liberties, Human Rights
The party states that:
– it honours cultural, linguistic, ethnic, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity within the context of individual responsibility toward all beings.
– it defends the right of all persons, without discrimination, to an environment supportive of their dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being.
– it promotes the building of respectful, positive and responsible relationships across lines of division in the spirit of a multi-cultural society.
To that end, the party advocates:
– recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to the basic means of their survival, both economic and cultural, including rights to land and to self determination; and acknowledgment of their contribution to the common heritage of national and global culture.
– recognition of the rights of ethnic minorities to develop their culture, religion and language without discrimination, and to full legal, social and cultural participation in the democratic process.
– recognition of and respect for sexual minorities equality between women and men in all spheres of social, economic, political and cultural life.
– significant involvement of youth culture as a valuable contribution to its Green vision, and recognition that young people have distinct needs and modes of expression.
Responsibilities: Participation & Subsidiarity
The party states that:
– society must return power and responsibility to individuals, communities and regions.
– society must encourage the flourishing of regionally based culture, rather than a dominant monoculture.
– it advocates a decentralized democratic society with political, economic and social institutions locating power on the smallest scale that is efficient and practical.
– society must reconcile the need for community and regional self-determination with the need for appropriate centralized regulation in certain matters.
New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan Civil Liberties, Human Rights
The party states that:
– people in Saskatchewan believe that everyone, no matter where they are from or what they look like, deserves the same chance at success.
– but too many politicians are telling us to mistrust one another. They are pitting us against each other, leading us to fight among ourselves while they cut and privatize, serving their friends and donors at the expense of our peace and wellbeing.
– we all do better when we remember that we are all in this together.
– it’s time to come together again, to make Saskatchewan work for everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or background.
To that end the party advocates:
– working with the federal government and First Nations and Métis governments to close the gap in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
– investing $10 million to act on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
– committing to a strong Saskatchewan within a strong Canada, by fighting for a fair deal on equalization.
– reintroducing an independent Ministry of Northern Affairs.
– reforming the child welfare system, working with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and First Nations to increase control and autonomy over child intervention on reserve.
– investing $5 million to create a poverty reduction strategy and increase support for housing first.
– eliminating predatory lending through a cap on interest rates and a cap on cheque cashing fees.
– doubling current funding for gang prevention strategies to keep our communities and our young people safe.
– banning dress codes that make women less safe at work, including mandatory high heels.
– examining structural and systemic racism within provincial government in the education sector.
– teaching children about respectful relationships, including the importance of consent.
– introducing legislation officially recognizing Gay Student Alliances (GSAs) to ensure safety and support for all our students.
– developing a disabilities strategy to ensure everyone in Saskatchewan is able to reach their full potential.
– working with the federal government to restore the family class of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, allowing newcomer families to put down roots and succeed in Saskatchewan.
The party has published no further current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Responsibilities; participation or subsidiarity
Saskatchewan Progress Party Civil Liberties | Human Rights
The party’s constitution states that:
– it is dedicated to the principles of: individual freedom, responsibility, and human dignity in the framework of a just society, and political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all persons.
– the party subscribes to the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons under the rule of law and commits itself to the protection of these essential values and their constant adoption to the changing needs of modern society.
– it is bound by the Constitution of Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is committed to the pursuit of equality of opportunity for all persons, to the enhancement of our unique and diverse cultural community, to the recognition that English and French are the official languages of Canada, and to the preservation of the Canadian identity in a global society.
– it recognizes that a democratic system requires all citizens have access to full information concerning policies and leadership of the Party, and opportunity to participate in open and public assessment of such policies and leadership as they deem desirable to promote the political, economic, social, cultural and general well-being of Saskatchewan people.
Gender equality
The party advocates:
– implementing Mainstreaming, which ensures a gendered lens is applied to policies, resource allocation, research, and legislation, and allocating increased budgeting and resources towards this process;
– investing at the community level, through increased funding and support, towards expanding social services and programs which are necessary to promote gender self-determination in the private and public sectors;
– improving the province’s childcare system to align with the OECD’s benchmarks on childcare;
– promoting educational awareness of gender issues; and
– increasing gender diversity within its own ranks.
The party has published no further current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Responsibilities; participation or subsidiarity
Saskatchewan Party Civil Liberties & Human Rights
Among its Guiding Principles the party lists:
– Individual freedom and the equality of opportunity for all citizens; and
– The constant improvement of Saskatchewan’s economic and social conditions within a strong and united Canada.
The party has published no further current statement concerning its policies relating to:
- Civil Liberties
- Human rights
- Responsibilities; participation or subsidiarity
Saskatchewan United Party Civil Liberties | Human Rights | Responsibilities: Participation & Subsidiarity
Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it recognizes that the family unit is the bedrock of society and that government must primarily account for the restoration, benefit and protection of the family unit to support its ability to thrive and prosper, while maximizing its right to self-determination in choosing the values preferred by each family unit to raise and teach its children.
– it recognizes the indispensable right to private property for all residents and opposes incursion of such rights by federal or international interests.
– it promotes personal responsibility of residents, while focusing on important social programs to address the underlying causes and needs of those who require support.
Points to Ponder Points to Ponder: Rights & Responsibilities; Subsidiarity
A conscience well formed by the social teachings of the Church will seriously consider the following questions:
Civic & Individual Rights & Responsibilities
It is clear that the nation and the provinces owe their citizens great respect for each of a broad range of human rights. But with rights come responsibilities. In fact, a right is nothing other than the flip side of an obligation (responsibility). And while individual citizens have rights, the civil community as a whole also has rights, which means that individual citizens have some fundamental obligations towards the civil community as a whole (the nation).
In that light, we can ask:
1. What responsibilities do individuals have toward their communities, provinces, the nation, and the world? For example:
a) to what extent are citizens called to live sustainable lifestyles, for example by conserving energy, avoiding waste, and ensuring that they minimize their impact on future generations?
b) what should citizens look to their governments for, to encourage or enable sustainable consumer lifestyles?
c) To what extent are citizens called to:
i) participate in society, for example through informed voting, continued engagement with candidates and elected representatives, and keeping up responsibly with the news?
ii) lend a hand to their neighbours, for example by volunteering at home or within the community, in addition to paying taxes?
2. Can our governments do anything to enable or encourage citizens to contribute by volunteer service? For example, can tax credits be offered to volunteer firefighters, or to invidividuals who work with the homeless or visit the homebound or sick, or otherwise support civic wellbeing?
3. Under what conditions, if any, is it morally right to require health care providers to participate in morally questionable practices such as abortion or assisted death, when it is contrary to their understanding of morality or their religious beliefs?
In addition to human and civil rights, many parties speak of things residents of Saskatchewan and others “deserve.”
1. How do the parties determine what citizens do or do not deserve? Do they apply predictable, objective criteria in making such determinations, or can such determinations sometimes seem arbitrary and unfair, or, in the context of elections, opportunistic? What criteria should be applied?
2. As the list of our defined political rights expand, how do we reconcile conflicts between them?
Government and Civil Society
1. Should the powers of the Federal government be expanded or reduced?
2. Should the powers of the Provincial government be expanded or reduced?
3. Is there too much government intervention in Canada or too little? Are Federal and Provincial governments fulfilling their obligations under the principle of subsidiarity to local governments and community groups by leaving to them all the decisions that responsibly can be left with them?
4. Or, should the powers of government be redistributed in order to ensure that individuals, public interest groups, and service organizations have opportunities to employ their lives and talents in the service of others, and the common good?