WE HAVE not always grasped that rights by themselves are not a basis for justice and they must be accompanied by the acknowledgment of responsibilities, the Church of Ireland primate, Dr John Neill said yesterday.
Addressing a service in St Michan’s Church, the parish church of the law courts, to mark the opening of the legal year yesterday, Dr Neill said no framework or legal structure can satisfy those who do not share in a common ethical framework.
Such a framework was provided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many elements of which were taken up by the European Convention on Human Rights and other international instruments.
The universal declaration contained a lot of material for a common vision, but it was more than the articulation of rights, he said. It also contained a lot of material for a common vision.
The importance of responsibility was recognised in our legal code in duties of care, proper provision for employees and health and safety regulations.
Dr Neill spoke of his experience as a member of the committee in the Anglican communion charged with finding a solution to the differences between churches within the communion on the issue of recognising relationships between same-sex couples.
“The rights of a church in the West to do what it wishes must be tempered by the recognition of the rights of churches living in very different societies, often with Muslim majorities,” he said.
The legal system reflected a society at its best, he added. “We should not see ourselves as without influence. The words of Jesus expressed an attitude of mind which should not be dismissed as an ideal that can never be achieved.
“These words should be seen as a constant challenge, a catalyst for change,” he said. “They urge on us a restlessness with the world as it is, they keep a vision before us on what we could be.”
The service was attended by members of the judiciary, including Supreme Court judge Mrs Justice Susan Denham, president of the Law Reform Commission, Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, High Court judges Mr Justice Declan Budd and Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, Circuit Court Judge Olive Buttimer, representatives of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, barristers and solicitors.
The choir of King’s Hospital school sang a number of anthems and led the singing of hymns.