Human Rights and the Magisterium of Catholic Church During the Great War of the Twentieth-Century

Abstract

During the last two years we have commemorated several significant events that left a mark in Contemporary History: in 2014, the First World War Centenary; in 2015, the 70th anniversary of the End of World War II; and also the anniversary of the discovery of the Nazi Concentration Camps. The purpose of the article is to review the thought of the Popes during the years in which the World Wars took place. After reviewing different documents produced by the Popes during those years (e.g., encyclicals, statements, speeches and radio
broadcasts), it is concluded that the thought of Benedict XV, Pius XI and Pius XII was characterized by a concern for the protection of Human Rights. Such concern was not only limited to a theoretical reflection about the Rights and their grounds, but also was reflected in a fierce defense of human beings and
their dignity, by expressing complaints about the violation of Human Rights committed by ideologies, a commitment to achieve World Peace, and by protecting those who were unfairly persecuted by political regimes. After reviewing the statement, the opinions and analysis of various philosophers of the 20th century, we can get to the conclusion that in the text remains the idea that certain rights have their support not on a rule imposed by the human being, but instead by the nature of itself. This is the reason why it is understood that we are all called to respect others rights and by which men have rights that are manifested as absolute and inviolable.