Bishop Robert Barron recently criticized a statement made during a Senate hearing regarding the source of legal rights. The hearing featured testimony asserting that rights are granted by the Creator rather than by laws or governments. This perspective, which Bishop Barron seems to endorse, raises serious concerns.
One can clearly see the foundation of American values in the words of Thomas Jefferson, articulated in the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson declared that all people are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These principles resonate, but an important reality is often overlooked: rights are meaningless without legal protection.
Experience working with Catholic missionaries in Honduras under a military dictatorship reinforced this understanding. Rights can be theoretical, but they must be upheld by law to have any real significance. As a civil rights lawyer in Virginia for 17 years, this lesson was further confirmed. Consider the rights enshrined in the Constitution: the right to a fair trial, the right to bear arms, the freedom of the press, and many others. These rights are not outlined in sacred texts; rather, they are guarantees given to the people through U.S. law.
Jefferson recognized the role of government in securing these rights. He wrote that democratic governments exist to secure these rights for every citizen. While the moral argument against slavery is undeniable, it is crucial to note that the natural right to liberty did not become a reality until the Civil War and the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Without legal enforcement, these crucial rights lapse into mere aspirations.
Opening the door to the notion that rights come solely from the Creator could have troubling implications. History shows that such beliefs can allow dictators to undermine laws, claiming they are acting on divine command. This approach has been observed throughout the ages and remains evident today in various parts of the world.
This principle is fundamental to America’s historical roots. The country sought independence from British rule primarily to reject the divine right of kings, an idea that legitimized autocracy over law. Acknowledging that rights need protection from governmental overreach was pivotal when America was founded and should remain a guiding principle.
Bishop Barron, and others who share his views, should recognize the importance of legal frameworks in safeguarding their rights—and those of all Americans. As society tackles the ongoing challenge of ensuring legal rights for all, a poignant reminder comes from St. Augustine: “Pray as though everything depends upon God. Work as though everything depends upon you.” This call for balance between divine trust and human effort underscores the necessity of both faith and action in the protection of rights.
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