Dear Friends,

We hope that you enjoyed our series celebrating the International Day of Peace 2018 on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The United States Constitution. Since there are 30 Articles in the Declaration and we only made it through number 16, we will continue to publish the series on the 21st of each month so that we may cover all 30 Articles. We look forward to your feedback on the series.

+++

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 17

1) Everyone has the right to own property alone
as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

+++

United States Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Amendments

stock.adobe.com

Amendment XIV

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

+++

Reflection

The Catholic bishops believe decent, safe, and affordable housing is a human right. Catholic teaching supports the right to private property, but recognizes that communities and the government have an obligation to ensure the housing needs of all are met, especially poor and vulnerable people and their families. At a time of rising homelessness and when many workers’ wages are stagnant and living expenses are rising, it is important to ensure housing security. Current Advocacy position of the USCCB; http://www.usccb.org

“The Church in her attitude to property does not ignore the material needs, nor does she praise the opposite extreme, the aspiration for wealth as the ultimate goal and value of life. The status of a person in itself cannot be seen as an indication as to whether God is pleased with him.

The attitude of Orthodox Christians to property should be based on the gospel’s principle of love of one’s neighbour, expressed in the words of the Saviour: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another” (Jn. 13:34). This commandment is the basis of Christian moral behaviour. For Christians and the Church believes for other people as well, it should be an imperative in regulating interpersonal relationships, including property relations.” The Basis of the Social Concept > VII. Property ; The Russian Orthodox Church; https://mospat.ru