Human Development
- Calls for a new vision of humanity
- Must touch the whole person and all peoples
- Needs to include Spirituality, Morality, Ethical and Humanitarian values
Integral Human Development has to enable every person in accomplishing their God-given gifts and talents towards the fullness of life.
Core Values of PIHDM
- Dignity of the Human Person
- Champion for Freedom and truth
- Participation in Social Life
- Uphold Human Rights & Responsibility
- Understand the Role of Government and Subsidiarity
- Human Solidarity
- Equality
- Social Justice
- Economic Justice
- Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
- Stewardship of God’s Creation
I. Uphold the Dignity of the Human Person
The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God. (Gen 1:27) - The person is sacred, made in the image of God. Every person is created by God and redeemed by the blood of Christ. The Person is called "child in the Son" and a living temple of the Holy Spirit. Violation of the personal dignity of the human being cries out in vengeance to God. Christifideles Laici
2. Champion for Freedom & Truth
It is only in freedom that man can turn to what is good. Gaudium Et Spes
Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. We must guard the truth that is the authentic condition of freedom, the truth that allows freedom to be fulfilled in goodness. Freedom is not merely a right that one claims for oneself. It is also a duty that one undertakes with regard to others. John Paul II
3. Participation in Social Life - Common Good & Community
"The human person needs to live in society".
He rightly owes loyalty to the communities of which he is part of and respect to those in authority who have charge of the common good. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
The fact that human beings are social by nature indicates that the betterment of the person and the improvement of society depend on each other.…humanity by its very nature stands completely in need of life in society.
Vatican II, The Church in the Modern World
The Common Good:
- Respect for the person
- Social well-being and development of the group:
- accesible to all what is needed to lead a truly human life, food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, information, etc.
- Peace- stability and security of a just order.
Responsibility and Participation:
- It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position or role, in promoting the common good.
- Participation by taking personal responsibility for family, work and active involvement in public life. CCC
Option for the Poor
- Remember the “widows, orphans, and aliens.”
- A necessary element of the common good
Who Are the Poor?
- Citizens who are denied political liberty & civil rights.
- Subjugated homemakers in the male-dominated societies.
- Illiterate children who have no opportunity of schooling.
- Minority groups who have kept their voices muffled for fear.
- Dissidents who are imprisoned and sometimes tortured by the guardians of law & order.
- Environmental degradation.
4. Uphold Human Rights & Responsibilities
- Civil/ Political
- Economic/ Social
Every person has a right to the basic material necessities that are required to live a decent life. Every man has the right to life, to bodily integrity, and to the means suitable for the proper development of life. Food, Shelter, clothing, rest, medical care, social services.
If a man becomes conscious of his rights, he must become equally aware of his duties.Pacem In Terris
5. Understand the Role of Government and Subsidiarity
- The state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good.
- Subsidiarity
- as small as possible
- as big as necessary
6. Human Solidarity
It is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.
Solicitudo Reo Socialis
John Paul II:
In the spirit of solidarity, we will learn:
- Respect for every human person
- Respect for the true values and cultures of others
- Respect for the legitimate autonomy and self-determination of others
- To look beyond ourselves to understand and support the good of others
- To contribute to our own resources in social solidarity
- To build structures that will ensure social solidarity
7. Equality
Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design. These differences belong to God's plan, who wills that each receive what he needs from others, and those endowed with particular "talents" share the benefits with those who need them.
Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social
justice, equality, human dignity, as well as social and international peace. CCC
8. Social Justice
Is to be observed not merely in the distribution of wealth but also in the conditions under which men engage in productive activity.
Organization & structure of economic life on workers:
- must not compromise human dignity
- must not weakened their sense of responsibilities
- must not remove their freedom of action
Mater et Magistra
Justice makes whole: it does not destroy; it leads to reconciliation, not revenge. It is rooted in love, which finds its most significant expression in mercy. Therefore, justice, if separated from merciful love, becomes cold and cutting. John Paul II
9. Economic Justice - Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
- Work has dignity because it is performed by the human person.
- People are more important than things; labor is more important than capital
10. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
Peace is not just the absence of war
Respect for and development of human life requires peace. Peace is not mere absence of war, it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries.
Peace cannot be attained without:
- safeguarding the goods of persons
- free communication among men
- respect for the dignity of persons and peoples and the diligent practice of fraternity. Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity. 'CCC''
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Mt 5:9
11. Stewardship of God’s Creation
The goods of the earth are gifts. We hold them in trust, as stewards. The Second Vatican Council has reminded us:
“God destined the earth and all it contains for all people and nations so that all created things would be shared fairly by all humankind under the guidance of justice tempered by charity.” All other rights, whatever they are, including property rights and the right of free trade must be subordinated to this norm...On the Development of Peoples