For Thai Bishops, King Bhumibol was a defender of human rights and religions
The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace issues a message for Human Rights Day. The late king always invested himself "for the good of everyone in accordance with democracy and the dignity of every person."
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – "His Majesty led a life in accordance with democracy, a model that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ about love and mercy, justice and the commitment of everyone to the common good,” writes Mgr Philip Banchong Chaiyara, president of the Committee for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), in a message issued on Human Rights Day, celebrated on 20 November by the local Church.
The bishop mentioned King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died on 13 October, who in his 70 years of reign "stressed the importance of the public good, regardless of differences in race, religion, political belief and social status."
The king, the message goes on to say, "was concerned with social problems and appealed to political parties to be honest in conducting their business, in governance, and in doing their duty for the good of all."
Human development carried out by giving priority to the person, based on a self-sufficient economy, on the principle of seeking useful innovations for all, writes Mgr Chaiyara, "is the centerpiece of the encyclical of Blessed Pope Paul VI, who wrote about how to develop the nation by placing each person at the centre, whilst respecting their dignity."
The bishop noted that King Bhumibol was always a champion of religious freedom, "the patron saint of all faiths."
“He extended education opportunities to the disadvantaged and realised that everyone has the right to earn a living and be safe,” the message reads. “For this reason, he supported agriculture, the stability of food prices, and public health."
On the day the Catholic Church celebrates human rights, "I am without words for the great loss of the beloved king of all Thai and Thai Catholics,” Mgr Chaiyara writes.
Thailand will mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, Constitution Day. Also on that date, in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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