U1 L1: HUMAN DIGNITY IN THE STORY OF CREATION C.

HUMAN BEINGS AND THE TALKS ON GENDER AND

SEXUALITY
A. HUMAN BEINGS AS THE CROWNING GLORY OF
GOD’S CREATION The Lord God then built the rib that he had taken from the man
into a woman. When he brought her to the man, the man said:
Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man this one has been
and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures taken.” Genesis 2:22-23
that crawl on the ground."
... man discovers woman as another "I", sharing the same
God created man in his image; in the divine image he created humanity. - CCC 371
him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27
CBCP’s Pastoral Moral Guidance on the Anti-Discrimination
Bill, March 3, 2015

"God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created a) ... to call on all pastors throughout the country to be as
him; male and female he created them" (Gn 1: 27). solicitous of the pastoral welfare of all our brothers and
sisters regardless of sexual orientation and gender
This statement is the basis of Christian anthropology, because it
identity.
identifies the foundation of man's dignity as a person in his
b) ... In Catholic institutions, there should be zero-tolerance
creation "in the likeness" of God. At the same time, the passage
for the bullying and badgering of persons in such
clearly says that neither man nor woman separately is the image
personal situations.
of the Creator, but man and woman in their reciprocity. Both are
c) ... If “gay rights” movements, for instance, encourage
equally God's masterpiece. - St. John Paul II in his General
free and unbridled sexual relations between persons of
Audience (1999)
the same sex, the Church cannot lend its support, for in
IMAGE OF GOD (Imago Dei) its view, they ultimately do a disservice to our brothers
and sisters. What gay rights can legitimately champion is
a) The divine image is present in every man. justice for all, fairness that must extend to all persons
b) Endowed with "a spiritual and immortal" soul regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
c) Intellect (knowledge)
Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between
d) Freewill (freedom)
women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual
CCC 1702-1711 attraction toward persons of the same sex...homosexual acts are
intrinsically disordered - CCC 2357

They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be
avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives
God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's
of a person who can initiate and control his own actions. - CCC Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. -
1730 CCC 2358

... but the exercise of freedom does not entail the putative right to Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-
say or do anything. - CCC 1747 mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of
disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they
"The State values the dignity of every human person and
can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian
guarantees full respect for human rights." - Philippine Constitution,
perfection. - CCC 2359
Article 2 Section 11
SAME SEX MARRIAGE, ABORTION, DIVORCE, AND CAPITALSTIC
B. HUMAN BEINGS AS STEWARDS OF GOD’S CREATION
TENDENCIES
STEWARDSHIP – being an image of God also implies our
- can pose significant problems to countries' population
responsibility to His creation
- Some nations have problems with their low birth rates
"In our day, there is a growing awareness that world peace is affecting their economy and pensions for their senior
threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts and citizens:
continued injustices among peoples and nations, but also by a lack  European countries
of due respect for nature, by the plundering of natural resources  Japan
and by a progressive decline in the quality of life." - St John Paul II  China, etc.
during the Celebration of World Peace (January 1, 1990)
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CHINA JESUS CHRIST

- will enter an “era of negative population growth,” - The promise of salvation brought about by sins of our
- warning that by 2065 numbers will return to the levels of ancestors is fulfilled in Jesus Christ
the mid-1990s - He was Incarnated by obedience of Mary
- Fewer people mean less domestic consumption, and thus - preached the Gospel
rapidly slowing economic growth - suffered and died on the Cross for redemption of all
- The ratio of young to old will be dramatically imbalanced - This is a testament to the dignity of human beings that
by the rising ranks of the elderly despite of the Fall and sinful nature, God affirms,
- Propaganda now exhorts couples to “have children for the transcends the elevated nature of humanity
country.” - Continues to reveal Himself to us and expressed indifferent
- Women are vigorously discouraged to delay marriage for ways particularly through our conversion and redemption.
career, with the derisive label shengnu, or “leftover
women,” given to unmarried women over 27 The Ultimate Destination of our Human Pilgrimage: to return to
- Abortions are beginning to be controlled the Father
- Registrations for marriage in China have declined annually
a) Israelites in the Promised Land
since 2013
- In the Old Testament, the Israelites journeyed to the
- the number of divorces has climbed every year since 2006
Promised Land led by Moses
- A rising section of China’s middle class no longer see
- This pilgrimage of faith from deliverance from Egyptian
marriage as the only path to security
slavery to the land given to them by God so that He can
- Choosing to forgo a traditional family life and prioritize
establish Himself a relationship that was lost due to sin of
careers
Adam
- “Marriage and children are becoming less significant in
- The covenant that God established with Abraham, chosen
young people’s lives.”
to be the father of a multitude of nations, opens the way
- a proposal by two Nanjing University professors to have
for the human family to make a return to the Father.
adults with fewer than two children pay into a “procreation
fund” to subsidize larger families
b) Parable of the Prodigal Son by Pope Francis
- Beijing now permits parents to have two children from
- In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Pope Francis described
2016
the father, with patience, love, hope, and mercy had never
SOUTH KOREA for a second stopped thinking about his lost
- And as soon as he sees him still far off, he runs out to meet
- the birth rate dropped to a record peacetime low of 0.95 him and embraces him with tenderness, the tenderness of
births per woman last year God, without a word of reproach: his son has returned! And
- 2.1 births are required to maintain a population, as that causes the joy of the father
economic growth slowed - In that embrace for his son, the Pope exclaimed, is all that
joy
JAPAN - The Pope reminded us that God is always waiting for us;
he never grows tired
- Its current population of 127 million will shrink to 83
- Jesus shows us this merciful patience of God so that we can
million by 2100, according to U.N. data
regain confidence, hope-always
- Over a third of its population will be over 65
- God's patience has to call forth in us the courage to return
- Already, more adult diapers are sold in Japan than infant
to him, however many mistakes and sins there may be in
ones.
our life
- For we are not numbers, we are the most important thing to
Thus, the Church teachings on sexuality, marriage and family
promote a concept of human dignity grounded on the very him.
principle ordered by God for the benefit of the society.
Redemption of those who became slave of sin finds its foundation
to the dignity of human person and redemption by Christ
U1 L2: HUMAN DIGNITY IN THE REDEMPTIVE ACT OF CHRIST
through the programs by the Church, government and other
AND INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS ON MAN AND SOCIETY
groups.
Some Old Testament events showing redemption through the
Example of Restorative Justice being done by the state:
intervention of God:
- The Philippine government adheres and believes that all
a) Protoevangelium
persons have dignity whether one is a criminal or not.
b) liberation of Israelites from Egyptian slavery
c) liberation of Israelites during the time of the Judges

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 - Example of this manifestation is its rehabilitation programs assembly that is at once visible and spiritual, a society endures
for those who are law offenders is the Bureau of through time... He rightly owes loyalty to the communities of which
Corrections with the functions: he is part and respect to those in authority who have charge of
 to safe keep prisoners convicted by courts the common good. - CCC 1880
 prevent prisoners from committing crimes
Both the Church and the State recognizes family as the most
 provide inmates basic needs
important unit of the society. It is the original cell of social life. A
 ensure rehabilitation programs are made available natural society in which husband and wife are called to give
to the inmates for their physical, intellectual and themselves in love and in the gift of life... The family is the
spiritual development community in which, from childhood, one can learn moral values,
 Develop livelihood programs to assist inmates earn begin to honor God, and make good use of freedom. Family life
a living and develop their skills while in prison. is an initiation into life in society. - CCC 2207
 One of its core values is “God centered” where
personnel realize themselves (and inmates) as 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSITUTION (Article XV. The Family)
person of God.
Section 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the
The Bureau of Corrections' logo or seal also summarizes its goal foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its
featuring a rehabilitated inmate (white) while in custody of the solidarity and actively promote its total development.
seven (7) prisons and penal farms (bars) thru educational,
therapeutic, productive approaches and restorative justice. He Section 2. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the
looks forward to a brighter future (rays of the sun), but would foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.
need the assistance of his family and loved ones, the society and Where families cannot fulfill their responsibilities, other social
the church, for him to completely undergo transformation and bodies have the duty of helping them and of supporting the
reintegrates successfully in the community. institution of the family. Following the principle of subsidiarity,
larger communities should take care not to usurp the family's
"Prison life can acquire human features and be enriched by a prerogatives or interfere in its life. – CCC 2209
spiritual dimension...should be considered an essential element in a
penal system that is more in conformity with human dignity. To promote the participation of the greatest number in the life of
Punishment cannot be reduced to mere retribution, much less take a society, the creation of voluntary associations and institutions
the form of social retaliation or a sort of institutional vengeance. must be encouraged... This "socialization" also expresses the
Punishment and imprisonment have meaning if, while maintaining the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another
demands of justice and discouraging crime, they serve the for the sake of attaining objectives that exceed individual
rehabilitation of the individual by offering those who have made a capacities. It develops the qualities of the person, especially the
mistake an opportunity to reflect and to change their lives in order sense of initiative and responsibility, and helps guarantee his
to be fully reintegrated into society." - St John Paul II (Jubilee in rights. - CCC 1882
Prisons, 2009)
Our laws also support the formation of these organizations:
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS ON MAN AND SOCIETY
a) 1987 Philippine Constitution Article XIII. Section 23.
THE HUMAN PERSON The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-
based, or sectoral organizations that promote the
- Is by nature a social being welfare of the nation.
- They are relational beings b) Civil Code of the Philippines Article 32... (12) The right
- who are free and responsible to become a member of associations or societies for
- recognizes the necessity of integrating themselves in purposes not contrary to law;
cooperation with fellow human beings,
- who is capable of communion with them Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom
- They belong to various societies such as family, civil and and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the
religious communities principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a
- are bound together by a principle of unity and common higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a
good community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions,
but rather should support it in case of need and help to co-
Each community is defined by its purpose and consequently obeys ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always
specific rules; but "the human person . . . is and ought to be the with a view to the common good." - CCC 1883
principle, the subject and the end of all social institutions. - CCC
1881

A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a

principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them. As an
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 U1 L3: HUMAN DIGNITY AS INVIOLABLE AND INALIENABLE DIGNITAS

HUMAN DIGNITY - Early Romans used this term referring to people appointed
to public offices and with higher status in the society
- Foundation of Catholic Social Teaching - Then Cicero redefined dignitas referring to all humans by
making distinction against animals where the former are
The permanent validity of the Catholic Church's social teaching governed by reason while the latter by bodily pleasures
admits of no doubt. This teaching rests on one basic principle: and instinct
individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the - To him, dignity encompasses not only of those who were
end of every social institution. That is necessarily so, for men are persons of authority and wealth but includes all humanity
by nature social beings... On this basic principle, which guarantees - To St Leo, persons have dignity due to the fact that man is
the sacred dignity of the individual, the Church constructs her raised up among other beings and made in God’s image
social teaching. - Mater et Magistra 218-220 (imago dei)
- St Aquinas adopted this elevated beings of St Leo to his
Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the
concept of great chain of beings which means the higher
dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. - CCC
the status of a being, the more dignity one possess
357
THE UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN LIFE
- Was established (1945) on accounts of horrors
- Is seen to be essentially social
experienced from World War 2 particularly from Nazi
- Human beings have been created in the image of God
Germany and Imperial Japan
who is Trinity and who combines both unity and relationship
- It recognizes the dignity of every person in Universal
in self.
Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
The dignity of human person is: - The Preamble and first three articles of the declaration
serve as its foundation of other rights
a) innate: we were born with it  Preamble
b) inviolable: cannot be violated Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and
c) inalienable: cannot be taken away from us of the equal and inalienable rights of all members
d) universal: encompasses all humanity of the human family is the foundation of freedom,
justice and peace in the world... that human rights
HUMAN RIGHTS should be protected by the rule of law.
 Article 1
- Mechanism to control the exercise of power so that it does
All human beings are born free and equal in
not become dehumanizing of persons.
dignity and rights. They are endowed with
- those fundamental rights of human beings which are
reason and conscience and should act towards
essential to the exercise of human dignity
one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
- These rights are possessed by human beings by the mere
fact of their being human  Article 2
- They are inherent in their nature, far from being privileges Everyone is entitled to all the rights and
by society or by the state freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without
- The society and the state have the duty to defend and distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex,
promote them language, religion, political or other opinion,
- Persons sometimes exercise power in a way which national or social origin, property, birth or other
dehumanizes other persons status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on
 For this reason Christian ethical reflection has
the basis of the political, jurisdictional or
arrived at the category of human rights
international status of the country or territory to
A Brief Development of Human Dignity in Relation to Human which a person belongs, whether it be
Rights independent, trust, non-self-governing or under
any other limitation of sovereignty.
1. Dignitas by the early Romans & Cicero  Article 3
2. imago dei by St Leo the Great Everyone has the right to life, liberty and
3. Great Chain of Beings by St Thomas Aquinas security of person.
4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the
United Nations Since the Philippines is one of the signatories of the Universal
5. Pacem in Terris by St John XXIII & other Church Declaration of Human Rights, our 1987 Philippine Constitution
documents on human rights adheres to these freedoms through the creation of Commission of

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Human Rights and by directing the government to value the - Comparable to those in contemporary declarations of
dignity of all human persons through ensuring full respect for human rights promulgated by national or international
human rights such as: entities
- During the 60th anniversary of the Declaration, the Vatican
1987 Philippine Constitution (Article XIII: Social Justice and reaffirmed its support to the goals of United Nations.
Human Rights)
“The promotion of human rights remains the most effective strategy
Section 1. The Congress shall give highest priority to the for eliminating inequalities between countries and social groups, and
enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all for increasing security.” – Pope Benedict XVI (April 2008), Address
the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and to the UN
political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably
diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.

SECTION 17. (1) There is hereby created an independent office

called the Commission on Human Rights. (Note: the first CHR in
the country was established during Marcos time two days before
the start of People Power 1)

SECTION 18. The Commission on Human Rights shall have the

following powers and functions:

a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all

forms of human rights violations involving civil and
political rights;
b) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure,
and cite for contempt for violations thereof in
accordance with the Rules of Court;
c) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection
of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as
well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for
preventive measures and legal aid services to the The chart (from Hollenbach, David. Claims in Conflicts) depicts
underprivileged whose human rights have been violated the levels of rights and the relationships between them according
or need protection; to the rights theory found in the encyclical, Pacem in Terris.
d) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or
detention facilities; RIGHTS THEORY IN THE SOCIAL TRADITION
e) Establish a continuing program of research, education,
and information to enhance respect for the primacy of - Recognizes the importance of the social nature of the
human rights; person and role that context plays in the promotion and
f) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to guarantee of rights.
promote human rights and to provide for compensation
List of human rights cited from Church documents:
to victims of violations of human rights, or their families;
g) Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with - The right to life, food, and shelter (RN #4, 10)
international treaty obligations on human rights; - The right to private property (RN #5)
h) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose - The right to choose one’s state in life (RN #9)
testimony or whose possession of documents or other - The right to living wage (RN #39)
evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the - The right to a just wage (LE #19)
truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its - The rights of workers to form unions (LE #38)
authority; - The right to life and a worthy standard of living (PT #11)
- The right to moral and cultural values (PT #12-13)
PACEM IN TERRIS (1963)
- The right to worship according to one’s conscience (PT #14)
- St John XXIII's encyclical was a landmark in the - The right to choose one’s state of life and establish a
acceptance by the Catholic Christian Church of the family (PT #15-17)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - The right to emigrate and immigrate (PT #25)
- For the first time, the Papal magisterium presents a - The right to rest (LE #19)
relatively complete and systematic catalogue of human - The right to work that is not harmful to one's conscience or
rights personal dignity (LE #15)
- The right to appropriate subsidies for unemployed workers
and their families (LE #18)
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 - The right to a pension in an old age, sickness or injury (LE
#19)
- The right to social security connected to maternity (LE #19)
- The right to assemble and form associations (QA #23)
- The right to religious freedom (DH #13)
- The right to development (JM #15)
- The right to freedom of expression and thought (JM #44)
- The right to private initiative and ownership (CA #43)

RN – Rerum Novarum, 1891

LE – Laborem Exercens, 1981

JM – Justicia in Mundo, 1971

PT – Patem in Teris, 1963

DH – Dignitatis Humanae, 1968

CA – Centesimus Annus, 1991

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