The role of Catholic civil society in advocacy for social justice

Religious communities and related organizations of civil society are an integral part of every democratic society. With their principles and traditions religious communities enrich social dialogue and constitute a foundation for the exercise of personal and collective rights. On the basis of the Social doctrine of the Chruch Catholics make an important contribution to the promotion of justice, protection of human rights and the realization of the human person. Public advocacy of the principle of justice and respect of family values in recent debates concerning the Family Code is an example of how civil society organizations could promote justice and cooperation among themselves as well as in relation to other civil associations and non-Catholic religious communities.