The solemn proclamation of human rights is contradicted by a painful reality of violations, wars and violence of every kind, in the first place, genocides and mass deportations, the spreading on a virtual worldwide dimension of ever new forms of slavery such as trafficking in human beings, child soldiers, the exploitation of workers, illegal drug trafficking, prostitution. “Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected”.331John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 47: AAS 83 (1991), 852. Unfortunately, there is a gap between the “letter” and the “spirit” of human rights,332Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptor Hominis, 17: AAS 71 (1979), 295-300. which can often be attributed to a merely formal recognition of these rights. The Church's social doctrine, in consideration of the privilege accorded by the Gospel to the poor, repeats over and over that “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others” and that an excessive affirmation of equality “can give rise to an individualism in which each one claims his own rights without wishing to be answerable for the common good”.333Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Octogesima Adveniens, 23: AAS 63 (1971), 418.
The Church, aware that her essentially religious mission includes the defence and promotion of human rights,334Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 54: AAS 83 (1991), 859-860. “holds in high esteem the dynamic approach of today which is everywhere fostering these rights”.335Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 41: AAS 58 (1966), 1060. The Church profoundly experiences the need to respect justice 336Cf. John Paul II, Address to Officials and Advocates of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota (17 February 1979), 4: Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II, II, 1 (1979), 413-414. and human rights 337Cf. Code of Canon Law, canons 208-223. within her own ranks. This pastoral commitment develops in a twofold direction: in the proclamation of the Christian foundations of human rights and in the denunciation of the violations of these rights.338Cf. Pontifical Commission “Iustitia et Pax”, The Church and Human Rights, 70-90, Vatican City 1975, pp. 45-54. In any event, “proclamation is always more important than denunciation, and the latter cannot ignore the former, which gives it true solidity and the force of higher motivation”.339John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollecitudo Rei Socialis, 41: AAS 80 (1988), 572. For greater effectiveness, this commitment is open to ecumenical cooperation, to dialogue with other religions, to all appropriate contacts with other organizations, governmental and non-governmental, at the national and international levels. The Church trusts above all in the help of the Lord and his Spirit who, poured forth into human hearts, is the surest guarantee for respecting justice and human rights, and for contributing to peace. “The promotion of justice and peace and the penetration of all spheres of human society with the light and the leaven of the Gospel have always been the object of the Church's efforts in fulfilment of the Lord's command”.340Paul VI, Motu Proprio Iustitiam et Pacem (10 December 1976): L'Osservatore Romano, 23 December 1976, p. 10.