Human Dignity in the Vatican City

Abstract

While Vatican law does mention human dignity, the values thereof are found in canonical law. Canon law establishes that true equality regarding dignity and action among the faithful by providing plurality activities in which the Church can operate. One of the Church’s goals is to elevate human dignity to create cohesion of social order. The Church’s Magisterium affirms the dignities of each person’s rights while rejecting acts which violate human integrity. Canon law and the Church’s Magisterium are recognised as limiting the exercise of legislative power of the State. These sources create a general theory of human rights for the Vatican to ensure justice regardless of culture, religion and ideology. It can be assumed, though, that freedom of rights of Vatican citizens can be limited from the need to safeguard Vatican public order.