VATICAN CITY, JUNE 18, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II warned that it is not possible to speak of «social conquests» when the latter do not respect the fundamental rights of the human person, beginning with life.
The Pope said this today when he received the letters of credence of Spain’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo. In his address, the Holy Father touched upon currently debated issues of the new Spanish government’s program.
John Paul II pointed out the inconsistencies «of certain tendencies of our time that, while on one hand magnify people’s well-being, on the other gravely disregard their dignity and fundamental rights, as is the case when the fundamental right to life is limited or manipulated,» abortion being an example.
«To protect human life is the duty of all, as the question of life and of its promotion is not only the prerogative of Christians, but belongs to every human conscience that aspires to truth and is concerned about humanity’s destiny,» he said.
