The Vincentian Center for Church and Society is pleased to join in the global celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The signing of this document, its indispensibility in international relations, and the continuing dialogue prompted by its principles are signs of hope for our future. This document's major achievement is a statement of principles clearly based on the dignity of the human person. "This universal set of principles found their way from the consciousness of humankind into the conscience of men and women and of nations," stated President Vaclav Havel at a human rights celebration in March of this year in Switzerland. We are convinced that this universal set of principles is as important to our world as Catholic social thought is to our faith. Coincidentally, 1998 celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Pacem in Terris issued by Pope John XXIII. This encyclical began a new era in the church's understanding, promotion and defense of human rights.

We have been challenged during our three year focus on human rights by Rev. Robert Maloney, Rev. Bryan Hehir, and Dr. Mary Ann Glendon among others to join this global celebration as a Catholic University. We believe the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Presentations of 1998 clearly meet this challenge. Our faculty have entered the human rights dialogue and thinking from various disciplines. This interdisciplinary collection of papers includes entries from Theology, Law, History, Economics, Government and Politics. Each paper offers a deepening of our understanding of human rights and suggests a potential for further study and development.

Our papers begin with the Most Reverend Howard Hubbard, noted advocate for justice for poor people, who explores the relationship between Charity and Justice and the Church's role in the development of public policy. Bishop Hubbard delivered the Chair of Social Justice Address at the Founder's Week Convocation in January of 1998. He encourages St. John's University to continue the way of St. Vincent dePaul to seek justice by engaging in social advocacy and charity in all of our efforts. Bishop Hubbard reminds us that the inclusion of religious moral values in the public debate is part of the Church's mission in the world.

We are honored to include in this volume Ambassador Dr. Joseph Cassar's thought-provoking response to the invitation of Pope John Paul II to discuss and consider a document addressing the "rights of nations." Ambassador Cassar examines the importance that the Catholic Church has historically attached to nationhood and the duty to safeguard the welfare of national communities. Ambassador Cassar is a visiting professor in The Center for Global Education, and in the department of Government and Politics at St. John's from 1997-1999.

The following six papers were selected from over 15 papers submitted by St. John's faculty who participated in our Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Competition in early 1998. Reviewed and judged by peer faculty, deans and administrators to reflect scholarship, interest in human rights and promotion of the Vincentian mission of our University, we are proud to publish these important papers.

Dr. Uma Balakrishnan examines the debate on the cultural relativity of the Universal Declaration and its applicability for the future. Professor Clark looks at the validity of economic human rights, especially those which are listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and argues that Catholic social thought provides a firm foundation for such rights. Dr. Coppa explores the position of Pius XI on anti-Semitism and human rights and seeks to bring the Pope's long hidden "encyclical" to public attention. Professor David Gregory examines human rights' concerns in the contemporary notions of "workfare." Professor Gregory suggests that reemergence of the "living wage" initiative could offer redemptive influences in the social contract in this post-welfare reform era. Professor Levine engages us in a look at our Jewish roots, through an examination of the Torah as a foundation for a living community, to discuss the relationship between the Constitution and human rights.

Judge Re's paper is important, not only because it is the scholarship of a Distinguished Professor in our School of Law, but also because Judge Re has participated in the history and the development of the study and promotion of human rights at St. John's University for 50 years. In this paper, Judge Re examines the role of the domestic courts in giving effect to human rights and fundamental freedoms as enforceable legal rights. In 1954, then Professor Re joined with other members of the St. John's faculty in a publication, "Concept of Freedom," edited by Rev. Carl W. Grindel, C.M., Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, St. John's Graduate School. This book received a Special Award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Judge Re's distinguished career in academics, law and in public service is a testament to his interest and promotion of human rights.

The final paper is a short talk which contexualized this work within the notion of a quest for a Vincentian spirituality. Fr. Michael Whalen offered these remarks at a faculty symposium on December 2, 1998. We hope you enjoy and are challenged by his "musings." Please share this publication with others. The Vincentian Chair of Social Justice was established in 1995 by the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission and the University "to research poverty issues, to teach justice and to transform society through justice." The Vincentian Center invites your reactions to this publication and encourages your suggestions and comments. We also wish to gratefully acknowledge the editorial assistance of Brendan Powers, M.A., Jennifer DiGregorio, B.A., and Rosemarie McTigue.

For information you may contact: Mary Ann Dantuono, J.D., Associate Director (718) 990-6758 Margaret John Kelly, D.C., Ph.D., Executive Director (718) 990-6470