His Holiness Patriarch Alexy: Moral Law stands above any human declarations

On April 17, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia answered questions of journalists from radio stations and news agencies. He spoke about human rights and freedoms widely discussed at the recent 10^th World Russian People’s Council.

His Holiness underscored the impossibility of equating human rights with permissiveness. Western liberal interpretation of this idea implies that human rights mean complete freedom without any restrictions. His Holiness reminded the audience that ‘moral law stands above any human declarations, and believers should observe it and respect the rights of other people’.

The mission of the Church and protection of human rights do not contradict each other, – His Holiness emphasized. ‘Christianity has spoken about human rights and dignity from the very outset. Human rights, however, should be linked to the moral law we profess’.