aration of Human Rights, art. 1.
(49) John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 301287, 39.
(50) Ibid., 39.
(51) Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 1591, 42.
(52) Ibid., 48.
(53) Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1883.
(54) Aristotle already noted that the family is prior and superior to the State (cf. Nicomachean Ethics, Ch. VIII, No. 15-20). The Holy Father introduced the concept of the "sovereignty" of the family (cf. Gratissimam Sane, 17).
(55) Cf. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 16, 1.
(56) Second Vatican Council, Decree Apostolicam Actuositatem on the Apostolate of the Laity, 11, quoted in Familiaris Consortio, 42.
(57) Cf. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 16.
(58) Cf. Ibid., art. 17, 1.
(59) Cf. Ibid., art. 26, 3.
(60) Cf. Ibid., art. 26, 3.
(61) Gratissimam Sane, 16.
(63) Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Humanae Vitae, 25768, 11.
(64) In some countries, this proportion reaches one-third.
(65) Many are asking themselves about the "rights", e.g. of the UNFPA (UN Fund for Population Activities) campaigns, and of some interventions by organizations such as UNICEF with regard to the rights of the family.
(66) According to this ideology, men and women's roles in society would be merely the product of history and culture, and people are free to choose their sexual orientation, regardless of their biological sex.
(67) John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 101194, 28.
(68) Cf. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 27, 2.
(69) Centesimus Annus, 32.
(70) Cf. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 20, 1.
(71) Cf. Ibid., art. 23, 4.
(72) Cf. Ibid., art. 20, 2.
(73) Familiaris Consortio, 86.
December 10, 1948
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
The General Assembly
Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, b