Catholic university creates “Benedict XVI Institute" to promote defense of human rights

Jul 19, 2007 / 09:03 am

The San Vicente Catholic University of Valencia has created the Benedict XVI University Institute for Human Rights Research, oriented towards promoting “research projects, orientation, as well as degrees and formation courses in the area of the defense of human dignity.”

The inauguration was led by the Dean of the Department of Sociology and Human Sciences, Eduardo Ortiz, during a series of workshops for university professors.

Ortiz said the initiative began in response to “the interest of Pope Benedict XVI in the function of human rights for detecting all attacks” against the dignity of the person.  The Institute will be under the guidance of Archbishop Agustin Garcia-Gasco of Valencia.

He also said the Institute would advise public and private entities at their request, foster the completion of doctoral theses and impart graduate and post-graduate degrees.

The Institute’s objective, he went on, would be “to serve society and the Church based on reflection and dialogue about human rights, thus contributing to the resolution of social conflicts.”