Vatican Rejects Doctrine of Discovery
The 500-year-old legal and political theory that justified the taking of land from native populations by colonizers was formally renounced by the Church.
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Human Rights
Upholding human rights enables a society to put people at the center of all policymaking – political, economic and social – thus protecting the life and dignity of the human person whatever its condition or stage of development. In the year 2020, the world entered into the novel coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented crisis that impacts all aspects of life and presents new threats to upholding human rights.
December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Join us in reciting this prayer by Rabbi Brant Rosen. Explore our Lenten Reflection Guide on human rights.
To understand what our faith teaches about human rights, see “Catholic Social Teaching and Human Rights.”
To learn about Maryknoll mission experience honoring and protecting human rights and the life and dignity of the human person, especially those who are poor and vulnerable, read Maryknoll’s 100 Years of Mission.
To learn about human rights advocacy, watch a 30-minute webinar, “Human Rights Advocacy and the Legacy of Sr. Dianna Ortiz.” You will also find a corresponding page of resources on current human rights issues.
To learn about new threats to human rights, see our articles featured in Maryknoll Magazine:
Upholding Human Rights During the Pandemic
A “David and Goliath” Story of Water Defenders
Tell Congress and Pres Biden: Suspend Security Assistance to Peru until Repression Ends
Write to express concern regarding the disproportionate and exaggerated response police unleashed upon protesters in Peru since the December coup attempt.
Meet-Learn-Act: Human Rights Concerns in the Amazon
meet with Indigenous Leaders from Bolivia, Brazil and Peru
Webinar: Human Rights in the Philippines
Learn about findings of a recent faith delegation to Mindanao in the Philippines, an island with ongoing armed conflicts and U.S. military installations.
Catholic Groups Ask Pres. Biden to Reconsider Deterrence Immigration Policies
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined fourteen other Catholic organizations in calling on President Biden to reverse restrictive border policies.
Tell Congress: Support Philippines Human Rights Act
It is urgent that the United States refuse to fund institutions responsible for human rights abuses in the Philippines.
Watch Good Friday Economic and Ecological Way of the Cross
Watch the recording on YouTube
Urgent Action Alert from Churches for Middle East Peace
Ensure no U.S. assistance is used abroad to violate human rights or harm civilians in Israel Palestine.
Peru: Letter of Solidarity with Aymara, Uro and Quechua Brothers and Sisters
We are writing to express our solidarity with you and your struggle and to tell you that as Christians we recognize the great example you are setting for the whole country with your marches in defense of true democracy and human rights; you are exemplary citizens and we demand that you be respected as such.
Tanzania Open Letter to VP Kamala Harris
We request your assistance in advocating for a sustainable and equitable solution that meets the reasonable needs of the hundreds of thousands pastoralists of the region, whose livelihoods rely on access to grazing lands and water.
Maryknoll Statement on Death of Migrants in Fire in Mexico
The fact that these migrants – many of them reportedly from Venezuela – were forced to wait in Mexico while on their migration journey to the U.S. border is the United States’ shame.
Senate Hearing on Refugees Statement
Statement for the Record U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on “Living Up to America’s Promise: The Need to Bolster the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program” March 22, 2023
Guantanamo Bay Prisoner Released
The resettlement of Majid Khan from Guantanamo Bay prison to Belize, marks the first time a “high intelligence value” prisoner has been freed.
Nicaragua: Release of Political Prisoners
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega released two-hundred twenty-two political prisoners, exiling them to the United States on February 9, 2023.
Peru: Indigenous People Call for Justice
Protests following the failed coup attempt of the former president were met with deadly police violence
Nicaragua: Freedom but Exile
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega released 222 political prisoners, exiling them to the United States on February 9. He also revoked their citizenship.
Maryknoll OGC Denounces Assassination of Honduran Water Rights Activists
In a statement of solidarity with the people of Honduras, Maryknoll OGC joined ten other U.S. civil society groups in denouncing the assassination of two water rights activists and further called for the protection of other environmental activists in the region.
Peru Faith Letter to President Biden
Mr. President, we ask you to immediately suspend U.S. security assistance to Peru until the violent repression ends and human rights violations are addressed.