Rights and Responsibilities
June 2025
Core Principle
The Catholic Church teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and to those things required for human decency—such as food, shelter, health care, education, and employment. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
This principle was powerfully articulated by Pope Leo XIII in his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which laid the groundwork for modern Catholic social teaching. Today, we continue to uphold this vision under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, newly elected to guide the Church in truth, justice, and love.
Scriptural Reflection
Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Isiah 1:17
Prayer & Petition
God of Justice and Mercy,
- Bless Pope Leo XIV with wisdom, courage, and compassion as he begins his papal ministry.
- Strengthen him to be a voice for the voiceless and a defender of human dignity around the world.
- Guide him in promoting the rights of all people and calling the Church to greater responsibility in service to others.
- Inspire the global Church to support his leadership with prayer, unity, and faithful witness.
- Help us to live out our responsibilities to one another with generosity and love.
- May we work together to build a society where every person’s rights are respected and protected.
- Bless the work of Catholic Charities and all who serve through it—may their efforts to uphold human dignity and meet essential needs reflect the heart of the Gospel.
- Grant us the grace to be faithful stewards of justice, peace, and the common good.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.