Intellectual foundations for defining identity

On May 13, 2004, then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was invited to address the Italian Senate in Rome. His reflections in chapter 9 of Values in a Time of Upheaval were first published in Italian in the volume entitled Europa: I suoi fondamenti.

Of primary importance for any culture, is the recognition of a shared history which binds a people together. Lacking this, the only source for commonality in some parts of the world may be in the recognition of division and dispute. If this is the case, the possibility for unification is all the more fragile.

The task of those called to positions of leadership must focus not so much on the economics of the establishment, but primarily on the wellbeing of it's citizens. Lack of concern for the care of souls and the strengthening of moral consciousness of those who are served would speak more eloquently than any efforts to promote purely physical or economic advancement.

Reflecting on a phenomenon which has become more and more evident in many advanced societies, Cardinal Ratzinger suggested that 'the growth of violence, the escape into drugs, and the increase in corruption make it all too obvious that the decline of values has tangible material consequences and that we must do something to halt this' (p. 146).

He then suggests three elements of the response to this crisis which must be examined:

• Absolute respect for human dignity and human rights. The legal enactment of the value and dignity of man, of freedom, equality, and solidarity, together with the fundamental principles of democracy and of the rule of law in society, entails an image of man, a moral option, and a concept of law that are not at all self-explanatory. These are, however, basic factors in (defining) identity, and they must be guaranteed, together with their direct conequences for public life. Naturally, all this can be defended only when a corresponding moral consciousness is developed anew. (pp. 147-148)


• Marriage and the family. (Human beings) must struggle again and again to realize the form of fidelity and of renunciation that monogamous marriage by its very nature requires. (p. 148)


• The religious spehere. Freedom of opinion has an inherent limit: it is not entitled to destroy the honor and dignity of other persons, nor is it a freedom to utter lies or to destroy human rights. (p. 149)

The fundamental principles upon which society is built are common building blocks for all societies. The more we see ourselves as 'advanced' the more we must be vigilant about these essentials if our ultimate aim is to promote health and prosperity among all citizens of our country. In accordance with the biblical imagery, we are therefore truly brothers and sisters of all people, and responsible for promoting the welfare of one another.

Photo: Palazzo del Quirinale, Rome.