In Defense of the Family and Natural Law – Ordo Iuris at the 6th Assembly of the Forum of Catholic Organizations in Rome

Julia Książek from the Center for International Law of the Ordo Iuris Institute is attending the 6th Assembly of the International Forum of Catholic-Inspired Organizations being held in Rome on November 26–28. The Forum is one of the most important global platforms for cooperation among Catholic organizations, the Holy See’s missions to international organizations, and Vatican dicasteries. The purpose of the Assembly is to develop joint actions to defend human dignity, peace, the common good, and fundamental rights in the context of the challenges of today’s world.

During one of the panels, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, took the floor. The Apostolic Nuncio unequivocally stated that surrogacy is a growing problem and constitutes a contemporary form of human trafficking in which both women and children are exploited. In his speech, he emphasized that the process of commercializing procreation is a brutal violation of human dignity. The Archbishop called on the assembled organizations to build a broad coalition opposing this practice and to undertake joint actions aimed at combating human trafficking in all its forms.

Later in his address, Archbishop Caccia drew attention to the phenomenon of concealing ideological content in United Nations documents. He explained that positively worded resolution titles, for example those referring to peace, equality, or development, often conceal provisions that undermine the foundations of the moral and legal order. As he noted, effective protection of human rights requires a systematic reading of documents “between the lines,” expert collaboration, and solidarity among Catholic organizations.

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero—the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office at Geneva—also took the floor. The hierarch pointed out that although actions at the international level are extremely important, local initiatives remain the foundation of effective protection of human dignity. He emphasized the role of communities, educational institutions, social organizations, and civic movements that genuinely shape a culture of respect for the human person and strengthen societies’ resilience to ideological pressures.

Also participating in discussions concerning the cooperation of the Holy See’s mission were:

• Archbishop Bernardito Auza – Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the European Union in Brussels,
• Archbishop Roberto Campesi – Permanent Observer of the Holy See to UNESCO,
• Archbishop Fernando Chica Arellano – Permanent Observer of the Holy See to FAO, IFAD and WFP (UN agencies concerned with agriculture and nutrition).

Church leaders emphasized the need for coordinated action by all Church institutions involved in the international system for the protection of human rights. They pointed out that current negotiation processes often lead to the instrumentalization of concepts such as dignity, fundamental rights, and development, which requires increased engagement by groups defending natural law.

The Center for International Law of the Ordo Iuris Institute prepared three position papers: on human dignity, the common good, and peace, which were incorporated into the substantive deliberations and constitute a contribution to the event’s final document. These positions emphasized the role of the family as a social and legal foundation, identified the dangers arising from the ideological redefinition of human rights, and called for the defense of natural law as the basis of the international order.

Ordo Iuris’s participation in the 6th Assembly of the Forum of Catholic Organizations is another element of the Institute’s sustained presence in global debates concerning the protection of the human person, combating human trafficking, and the promotion of natural law. The meeting provides a space for building international cooperation and for strengthening the community of organizations that defend the integrity of human rights and the inviolable dignity of the human person. Ordo Iuris representatives also participate in thematic panels and continue talks with Catholic organizations from around the world.

“The assembly in Rome shows how necessary it is for well-prepared, expert Catholic organizations to be present in international debates. Speeches by the Holy See’s prelates clearly confirmed the growing threats associated with human trafficking, including surrogacy, as well as the need for vigilance regarding content concealed in UN documents. The contribution of the Ordo Iuris Institute—in the form of three position statements concerning human dignity, the common good, and peace, as well as active participation in discussions—is a concrete expression of concern for an international legal order based on natural law and the inviolable dignity of the human person”,notes Julia Książek.