[Mrs. Don-o]

You are misreading Morlino's meaning here. Perhaps understandably. You are interpreting basic "rights" as "basic rights payable by the State through coercion, i.e. taxation." This is how most Americans would read it; but it's now how Catholics are supposed to read it.

You have to read the actor here, not as the "State," but as "Society" --- meaning, elements of the human community, especially those societies directly founded by God: namely, the Family and the Church.

The trouble is when these "rights" are interpreted in a statist wasy. The right of a hungry, homeless, sick person to food, housing, medical care --- is first obligatory on himself, then on his family, then on his parish, etc. etc. In emergencies, the first person who comes along (e.g. the Samaritan finding a man by the side of the road.) In times of disaster, the city; possibly the county, etc.

Carry on.

[Albion Wilde]

You are misreading Morlino's meaning here.... You are interpreting basic "rights" as "basic rights payable by the State through coercion, i.e. taxation." This is how most Americans would read it; but it's now how Catholics are supposed to read it.

Thanks for your input here, respected FRiend. I'm still uninformed on many issues from the R.C. point of view. Love the exchange here on FR; so different from the vein-bulging and tears around the dinner table in my "mixed" family of origin.