Bishop Gerber Calls for Theology to Reassert Human Dignity as Foundation for Universal Rights
Fulda, Germany – Amidst escalating global crises and increasing political division, Fulda Bishop Michael Gerber has urged academic theologians to actively engage in public discourse and reaffirm the foundational role of human dignity in upholding universal human rights. Addressing the annual meeting of the Catholic Theological Faculty Day on Friday, Bishop Gerber emphasized the critical responsibility of theological educators to confidently contribute to societal debates.
Gerber highlighted the current period as one of important upheaval,questioning the basis upon which human rights and international law can be justifiably demanded. He asserted that human rights are not merely ancient constructs, but rather a direct expression of inherent human dignity bestowed by God – a dignity that must be universally recognized or risk losing it’s meaning altogether.
“They only exist as universal rights – or they simply don’t exist,” Bishop Gerber stated,underscoring the necessity of a firm,principled foundation for these rights.
The bishop challenged theologians to rigorously develop and articulate these foundational beliefs, translating complex theological concepts into accessible arguments for a wider audience. He called for a “new critical hermeneutics and strong argumentative articulation” to effectively communicate these principles beyond the confines of church doctrine.
The ultimate goal, according to Bishop Gerber, is to foster dialog with individuals from diverse ideological backgrounds, collaboratively clarifying the shared foundations of community and integrating them into broader public conversations.
The Catholic Theological Faculty Day, established in 1958, represents a collaborative network of 18 Catholic theological faculties and departments across German state and church universities, alongside 33 institutes dedicated to training religious educators. The organization serves to coordinate and advocate for the collective interests of its member institutions with both state and church authorities.