JESUS INCARNATE = EMBODIED

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A SPIRITUALITYofHUMAN RIGHTS
Donal Dorr
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We need to Focus much more on Human Rights
because People are Moved, Outraged by
Frequent Gross Abuses of Rights
- E.g. Boy soldiers in Eastern Congo (DRC) taught
and encouraged to use RAPE as an instrument of war
- E.g. Personal account of the reality of
prostitution by Rachel Moran in her book Paid For
- E.g. Harrowing accounts of treatment of
trafficked women and girls
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Following Jesus is the Heart of a
Spirituality of Human Rights
He Challenged Authorities to Defend Rightsof
Poor, Sick, and Disabled people, Migrants,
Refugees, Prostitutes, and Tax Collectors
He defended their Right to be Assured that
theyare Loved and treasured by God
He paid a heavy price deprived of His Right to
Fair Trial, Not to be Tortured, Right to Life.
Vindicated by being Raised from Death
but only three days after he Died
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RESPECT is the Key Basis for a
SPIRITUALITY OF RIGHTS
- Respect in Legal Sense Dont
Interfere (Negative)
- Spiritual Sense of Respect Reverence
Based on Dignity of the Person
Empathize Tenderness, Sacred Every
Person is Image of God See Abuse as Almost
Blasphemy (Archbishop Rowan
Williams)
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How Develop this Empathy? Requires a
Radical Conversion
Moral Conversion
Conversion of Our Affectivity so Feelings Come
in Line with Morality
How Pope Francis was converted from being
self-assured, authoritarian to being deeply
humble see Paul Vallely, Pope Francis Untying
the Knots, p.144 prolonged Ignatian prayer.
Personal Development Work perhaps
Counselling, Therapy to Heal the Wounds of
the Past
If Irritated, Focus on the Gifts, and the Gift,
of the Person
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FOSTER A CULTURE OF RESPECT
-to challenge individualism, exploitation,
and abuse of authority
Mt 1815-16 Dialogue with leaders of State
Church educate public opinion
Public Challenge when no openness to dialogue or
dialogue has Broken Down
Protest is difficult and risky Martyrdom or
Harsh Unjust Treatment an Inspiration and
Challenge to Us
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To be Effective, Spirituality of Human Rights
must be by a Community
Ideally Local, Networked with Others
Nowadays it may be a Virtual Community e. g.
RENATE and its national members, Amnesty, AVAAZ
Campaigning is Exciting but Stressful - We May
Lose Touch with Inner Deep Space where Spirit
is Nurtured
We may need Time Out for Nurturing
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SOME PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
1. Members of the RENATE Congregations who work
in Source Countries can warn people of the
dangers, and can help to re-settle returnees.
2. GIVE PRESENTATIONS IN SCHOOLS and to Church
groups, womens or mens groups etc
3. Campaigns such as Turn off the Red Light
which lobby politicians to change legislation and
adopt the SWEDISH/NORDIC MODEL
4. Universal Periodic Review of Human Rightsby
United Nations in individual countries
anti-trafficking groups can put pressure on
their government to implement suitable
legislation.
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CONCLUSION Key Words Respect for Human
Dignity, Compassion, Reverence, Tenderness,
Solidarity, Concern for Common Good, Empower
People to Participate in Decision-Making
Nourish Ourselves by Awe before the Mystery of
Creation and Evolution and by Insight into The
New Story
We will be Inspired by the Holy Spirit to Cry
Out with Jesus in Wonder and Gratitude to the
Creator
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