Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
NATURAL RIGHT
Human right coming from the Author of nature and directly based on the natural law. It is absolutely unchangeable and is the foundation of all positive rights. All civil laws, therefore, are only as valid as they are based on the natural rights of the citizen. Thus, e.g., the unborn child has a natural right to life that no political authority may take away.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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