Human Dignity and Creation Theology

Human Dignity in the Story of Creation

• God created man in His image, male and female.
• This shows the dignity of man as a person, created in the likeness of God.
• Neither man nor woman alone are the image of God, but rather man and woman in their reciprocity.

Image of God (imago dei)

• The divine image is present in every human being.
• We are endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul.
• We possess intellect (knowledge).
• We have freewill (freedom).

Freedom and Responsibility

• God created man as a rational being, able to control his own actions.
• Free will does not grant the right to say or do anything.
• The Philippine Constitution guarantees full respect for human rights.

Being an Image of God

• It implies the responsibility to care for God’s creation.
• This is known as stewardship.
• The Church recognizes the need to offer opportunities for people to make amends and change their lives.

Human Dignity as Inviolable and Inalienable

• The human person possesses dignity that has no price, but value.
• This dignity is manifested in its radiance when we consider the person’s origin and destiny.
• Christ redeemed us with His precious blood, calling us to be children of God.
• We are to be living temples of the Spirit, destined for eternal life.
• Any violation of human dignity is an offense against God.

Human Rights

• These are the fundamental rights of all human beings, essential for exercising human dignity.
• They are possessed by humans simply by being human.
• These rights are inherent and beyond challenge.
• The Catholic Church supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Church’s Involvement in Promoting Human Rights

• The Church is called to be involved in promoting justice, solidarity, and common good.
• This is done through active participation and cooperation in community development.
• It involves promoting human dignity, justice, peace, and environmental education.

Duty of the Lay Faithful to Society

• It is the duty of the lay faithful to proclaim the Gospel through their lives.
• This is rooted in Christ and lived out in temporal realities: family, work, culture, science, research, and social, economic, and political responsibilities.
• The laity's role is to seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs.

Local Realities of the Church’s Involvement

• The Church can be involved in promoting human dignity in its local communities through concrete acts.
• This can be achieved by being aware of existing social problems and concerns.
• It should be followed by personal commitment, initiating and organizing advocacy projects related to human promotion and development.

Salamanca Congress

• This Congress brings together Dominican intellectual institutions for the promotion and defense of human rights.
• It aims to deepen the integration of the intellectual and apostolic life of the Dominican community, promoting the values of human dignity and the common good.

The Church's Position on Homosexuality

• The Church welcomes and cares for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• While acknowledging the value of all individuals, the Church upholds the teaching that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
• It is important to foster a culture of respect and understanding.
• In Catholic institutions, bullying and badgering of individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity should not be tolerated.