Mexican Cardinal asks that human rights be made into reality

Mexico City, Mexico, Dec 8, 2009 / 21:04 pm

Noting that laws are not enough, the Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, has asked the faithful to create a culture where human rights are respected as a reality.

“This is about actions. It is not just a question of laws which are put on paper. It's not just about shouting them in the streets, but rather making these rights concrete when we see the hunger of so many of our brothers and sisters,” said the cardinal during Mass on Sunday.

Thus, in regard to the inequality of the social strata, “such scandalous” social differences must be eliminated and a justice which erases the existing inhuman social levels of misery, hunger and ignorance, must be achieved.

In his homily, the prelate invited the faithful to take advantage of the season of Advent for their personal conversions. He cautioned them not to allow “the torturous and rough path” to distance them from the hope and joy that is found in Christmas.

Cardinal Rivera affirmed that “conversion is not something negative.” “On the contrary, there isn't anything more positive than to let go of the negative things in order to prepare the way for the coming of Christ by getting rid of everything that stands in the way of, or is contrary to, the dignity and equality of each and every man,” he concluded.