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INTRODUCTION to the 1996 publication of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society To respond to that challenge, the Vincentian Center adopted a three-year focus on Human Rights which will culminate in 1998 with a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During the 1996 Founder's Week, the Rev. Bryan Hehir of Harvard University presented the second Vincentian Chair of Social Justice address, which is the lead essay in this publication. Father Hehir traced the evolution of thinking on human rights in modern history. He noted the significant contributions and leadership of the Catholic Church in protecting and promoting social, economic and political rights. He described the current responsibility of a Catholic University as intellectual, institutional and integral to our understanding and protection of the human rights of every person. His analysis supported his theory that not only is the Church, and thus Church institutions, concerned with the teaching of human rights, but also with a lived ministry of human rights. The other six essays in this publication were generated by research colloquia sponsored by the Vincentian Chair and presented by university faculty. Each researcher explores a basic human right catalogued directly or indirectly in the UN Document. The faculty members not only analyze negative situations which violate rights, but they also propose some constructive remediation or intervention. In exploring the concept of A Basic Income, Dr. Charles Clark reflects on economic rights and proposes a standard of living worthy of the human person. Dr. Helen Sheehan and Dr. Richard Weeden in Toxic Circles describe environmental situations in New Jersey which have negatively impacted the medical status of generations of persons. They also report on small, but effective countervailing efforts to assure a safe and healthy environment. Dr. Jeffrey Nevid and Dr. Nedjet Delener track smoking among adolescents and minority groups and challenge cigarette advertisers and cultural models from the moral and economic responsibility perspectives. Dr. James Mazza and Dr. Dawn Flanagan confront the injustice inflicted on children by inner-city violence and deprivation and they suggest interventions to reduce the effects of that injustice. The Vincentian Center invites your reactions to this publication and encourages your suggestions for and participation in our programs and events, particularly those of the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice. We are sincerely grateful for these efforts which enrich the public, our university and our Church. NOTE: Because of space constraints in the paper edition of this publication, some of the research papers have been abridged. If a reader wishes additional material or to communicate with the authors, please contact the Vincentian Center for Church and Society
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In
the January 1995 inaugural address of the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice,
the Very Reverend Robert P. Maloney, Superior General of the Congregation
of the Mission, challenged the St. John's University community to transform
contemporary society as Vincent dePaul did in the 17th century. He urged
the St. John's faculty to direct research to poverty issues, to teach
justice and to transform society through justice.
