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just decisions and promote genuine reconciliation when they grasp and

acknowledge the full truth of a specific question.

A second way of promoting moral truth consists in deconstructing polit-

ical ideologies which would supplant the truth. The tragic experiences of the

twentieth century have laid bare the inhumanity which follows from the

suppression of truth and human dignity. In our own day, we are witnessing

attempts to promote supposed values under the guise of peace, development

and human rights. In this sense, speaking to the United Nations General

Assembly, I called attention to attempts in some quarters to reinterpret

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by giving satisfaction to

particular interests which would compromise the Declaration's inner unity

and move away from its original intent.2

Thirdly, promoting moral truth in public life calls for a constant effort

to base positive law upon the ethical principles of natural law. An appeal to

the latter was once considered self-evident, but the tide of positivism in

contemporary legal theory requires the restatement of this important axiom.

Individuals, communities and states, without guidance from objectively

moral truths, would become selfish and unscrupulous and the world a more

dangerous place to live. On the other hand, by being respectful of the rights

of persons and peoples we protect and promote human dignity. When the

policies we support are enacted in harmony with the natural law proper to

our common humanity, then our actions become more sound and conducive

to an environment of understanding, justice and peace.

Mr President, distinguished friends, with these considerations I reaffirm

my esteem and that of the Church for your important service to society and

to the building of a secure future for our world. I invoke upon all of you the

divine blessings of wisdom, strength and perseverance in the fulfilment of

your duties. Thank you.

2 Cfr. Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 18 April 2008.