On the Justification for Human Rights in the Teachings of the Catholic Church

The article discusses the justification for human rights in the context of the teachings of the Catholic Church. The first part of the article focuses on a critique of the prevailing consensual justification of the validity of human rights. The second part uses examples of Church documents as evidence for the grounding of human rights in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Human rights are cognizable through reason alone, but faith strengthens their recognition. On its own the theological justification for human rights is insufficient if we want them to be recognized even by persons who do not adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church.