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DECLARATIONONRELIGIOUSFREEDOM

DIGNITATISHUMANAE
ONTHERIGHTOFTHEPERSONANDOFCOMMUNITIES
TOSOCIALANDCIVILFREEDOMINMATTERSRELIGIOUS
PROMULGATEDBYHISHOLINESS
POPEPAULVI
ONDECEMBER7,1965

1.Asenseofthedignityofthehumanpersonhasbeenimpressingitselfmoreandmoredeeplyontheconsciousnessof
contemporaryman,(1)andthedemandisincreasinglymadethatmenshouldactontheirownjudgment,enjoyingandmakinguseof
aresponsiblefreedom,notdrivenbycoercionbutmotivatedbyasenseofduty.Thedemandislikewisemadethatconstitutionallimits
shouldbesettothepowersofgovernment,inorderthattheremaybenoencroachmentontherightfulfreedomofthepersonandof
associations.Thisdemandforfreedominhumansocietychieflyregardsthequestforthevaluespropertothehumanspirit.It
regards,inthefirstplace,thefreeexerciseofreligioninsociety.ThisVaticanCounciltakescarefulnoteofthesedesiresintheminds
ofmen.Itproposestodeclarethemtobegreatlyinaccordwithtruthandjustice.Tothisend,itsearchesintothesacredtradition
anddoctrineoftheChurchthetreasuryoutofwhichtheChurchcontinuallybringsforthnewthingsthatareinharmonywiththe
thingsthatareold.

First,thecouncilprofessesitsbeliefthatGodHimselfhasmadeknowntomankindthewayinwhichmenaretoserveHim,andthus
besavedinChristandcometoblessedness.WebelievethatthisonetruereligionsubsistsintheCatholicandApostolicChurch,to
whichtheLordJesuscommittedthedutyofspreadingitabroadamongallmen.ThusHespoketotheApostles:"Go,therefore,and
makedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserve
allthingswhatsoeverIhaveenjoineduponyou"(Matt.28:1920).Ontheirpart,allmenareboundtoseekthetruth,especiallyin
whatconcernsGodandHisChurch,andtoembracethetruththeycometoknow,andtoholdfasttoit.

ThisVaticanCouncillikewiseprofessesitsbeliefthatitisuponthehumanconsciencethattheseobligationsfallandexerttheirbinding
force.Thetruthcannotimposeitselfexceptbyvirtueofitsowntruth,asitmakesitsentranceintothemindatoncequietlyandwith
power.

Religiousfreedom,inturn,whichmendemandasnecessarytofulfilltheirdutytoworshipGod,hastodowithimmunityfromcoercion
incivilsociety.ThereforeitleavesuntouchedtraditionalCatholicdoctrineonthemoraldutyofmenandsocietiestowardthetrue
religionandtowardtheoneChurchofChrist.

Overandaboveallthis,thecouncilintendstodevelopthedoctrineofrecentpopesontheinviolablerightsofthehumanpersonand
theconstitutionalorderofsociety.

2.ThisVaticanCouncildeclaresthatthehumanpersonhasarighttoreligiousfreedom.Thisfreedommeansthatallmenaretobe
immunefromcoerciononthepartofindividualsorofsocialgroupsandofanyhumanpower,insuchwisethatnooneistobeforced
toactinamannercontrarytohisownbeliefs,whetherprivatelyorpublicly,whetheraloneorinassociationwithothers,withindue
limits.

Thecouncilfurtherdeclaresthattherighttoreligiousfreedomhasitsfoundationintheverydignityofthehumanpersonasthis
dignityisknownthroughtherevealedwordofGodandbyreasonitself.(2)Thisrightofthehumanpersontoreligiousfreedomisto
berecognizedintheconstitutionallawwherebysocietyisgovernedandthusitistobecomeacivilright.

Itisinaccordancewiththeirdignityaspersonsthatis,beingsendowedwithreasonandfreewillandthereforeprivilegedtobear
personalresponsibilitythatallmenshouldbeatonceimpelledbynatureandalsoboundbyamoralobligationtoseekthetruth,
especiallyreligioustruth.Theyarealsoboundtoadheretothetruth,onceitisknown,andtoordertheirwholelivesinaccordwith
thedemandsoftruth.However,mencannotdischargetheseobligationsinamannerinkeepingwiththeirownnatureunlessthey
enjoyimmunityfromexternalcoercionaswellaspsychologicalfreedom.Thereforetherighttoreligiousfreedomhasitsfoundation
notinthesubjectivedispositionoftheperson,butinhisverynature.Inconsequence,therighttothisimmunitycontinuestoexist
eveninthosewhodonotliveuptotheirobligationofseekingthetruthandadheringtoitandtheexerciseofthisrightisnottobe
impeded,providedthatjustpublicorderbeobserved.

3.Furtherlightisshedonthesubjectifoneconsidersthatthehighestnormofhumanlifeisthedivinelaweternal,objectiveand
universalwherebyGodorders,directsandgovernstheentireuniverseandallthewaysofthehumancommunitybyaplanconceived
inwisdomandlove.ManhasbeenmadebyGodtoparticipateinthislaw,withtheresultthat,underthegentledispositionofdivine
Providence,hecancometoperceiveevermorefullythetruththatisunchanging.Whereforeeverymanhastheduty,andtherefore
theright,toseekthetruthinmattersreligiousinorderthathemaywithprudenceformforhimselfrightandtruejudgmentsof
conscience,underuseofallsuitablemeans.
Truth,however,istobesoughtafterinamannerpropertothedignityofthehumanpersonandhissocialnature.Theinquiryistobe
free,carriedonwiththeaidofteachingorinstruction,communicationanddialogue,inthecourseofwhichmenexplaintoone
anotherthetruththeyhavediscovered,orthinktheyhavediscovered,inorderthustoassistoneanotherinthequestfortruth.

Moreover,asthetruthisdiscovered,itisbyapersonalassentthatmenaretoadheretoit.

Onhispart,manperceivesandacknowledgestheimperativesofthedivinelawthroughthemediationofconscience.Inallhisactivity
amanisboundtofollowhisconscienceinorderthathemaycometoGod,theendandpurposeoflife.Itfollowsthatheisnottobe
forcedtoactinamannercontrarytohisconscience.Nor,ontheotherhand,ishetoberestrainedfromactinginaccordancewithhis
conscience,especiallyinmattersreligious.Thereasonisthattheexerciseofreligion,ofitsverynature,consistsbeforeallelsein
thoseinternal,voluntaryandfreeactswherebymansetsthecourseofhislifedirectlytowardGod.Nomerelyhumanpowercan
eithercommandorprohibitactsofthiskind.(3)Thesocialnatureofman,however,itselfrequiresthatheshouldgiveexternal
expressiontohisinternalactsofreligion:thatheshouldsharewithothersinmattersreligiousthatheshouldprofesshisreligionin
community.InjurythereforeisdonetothehumanpersonandtotheveryorderestablishedbyGodforhumanlife,ifthefreeexercise
ofreligionisdeniedinsociety,providedjustpublicorderisobserved.

Thereisafurtherconsideration.Thereligiousactswherebymen,inprivateandinpublicandoutofasenseofpersonalconviction,
directtheirlivestoGodtranscendbytheirverynaturetheorderofterrestrialandtemporalaffairs.Governmentthereforeought
indeedtotakeaccountofthereligiouslifeofthecitizenryandshowitfavor,sincethefunctionofgovernmentistomakeprovisionfor
thecommonwelfare.However,itwouldclearlytransgressthelimitssettoitspower,wereittopresumetocommandorinhibitacts
thatarereligious.

4.Thefreedomorimmunityfromcoercioninmattersreligiouswhichistheendowmentofpersonsasindividualsisalsotobe
recognizedastheirrightwhentheyactincommunity.Religiouscommunitiesarearequirementofthesocialnaturebothofmanand
ofreligionitself.

Providedthejustdemandsofpublicorderareobserved,religiouscommunitiesrightfullyclaimfreedominorderthattheymaygovern
themselvesaccordingtotheirownnorms,honortheSupremeBeinginpublicworship,assisttheirmembersinthepracticeofthe
religiouslife,strengthenthembyinstruction,andpromoteinstitutionsinwhichtheymayjointogetherforthepurposeofordering
theirownlivesinaccordancewiththeirreligiousprinciples.

Religiouscommunitiesalsohavetherightnottobehindered,eitherbylegalmeasuresorbyadministrativeactiononthepartof
government,intheselection,training,appointment,andtransferraloftheirownministers,incommunicatingwithreligiousauthorities
andcommunitiesabroad,inerectingbuildingsforreligiouspurposes,andintheacquisitionanduseofsuitablefundsorproperties.

Religiouscommunitiesalsohavetherightnottobehinderedintheirpublicteachingandwitnesstotheirfaith,whetherbythespoken
orbythewrittenword.However,inspreadingreligiousfaithandinintroducingreligiouspracticeseveryoneoughtatalltimesto
refrainfromanymannerofactionwhichmightseemtocarryahintofcoercionorofakindofpersuasionthatwouldbedishonorable
orunworthy,especiallywhendealingwithpoororuneducatedpeople.Suchamannerofactionwouldhavetobeconsideredanabuse
ofone'srightandaviolationoftherightofothers.

Inaddition,itcomeswithinthemeaningofreligiousfreedomthatreligiouscommunitiesshouldnotbeprohibitedfromfreely
undertakingtoshowthespecialvalueoftheirdoctrineinwhatconcernstheorganizationofsocietyandtheinspirationofthewholeof
humanactivity.Finally,thesocialnatureofmanandtheverynatureofreligionaffordthefoundationoftherightofmenfreelytohold
meetingsandtoestablisheducational,cultural,charitableandsocialorganizations,undertheimpulseoftheirownreligioussense.

5.Thefamily,sinceitisasocietyinitsownoriginalright,hastherightfreelytoliveitsowndomesticreligiouslifeundertheguidance
ofparents.Parents,moreover,havetherighttodetermine,inaccordancewiththeirownreligiousbeliefs,thekindofreligious
educationthattheirchildrenaretoreceive.Government,inconsequence,mustacknowledgetherightofparentstomakeagenuinely
freechoiceofschoolsandofothermeansofeducation,andtheuseofthisfreedomofchoiceisnottobemadeareasonforimposing
unjustburdensonparents,whetherdirectlyorindirectly.Besides,therightofparentsareviolated,iftheirchildrenareforcedto
attendlessonsorinstructionswhicharenotinagreementwiththeirreligiousbeliefs,orifasinglesystemofeducation,fromwhichall
religiousformationisexcluded,isimposeduponall.

6.Sincethecommonwelfareofsocietyconsistsintheentiretyofthoseconditionsofsociallifeunderwhichmenenjoythepossibility
ofachievingtheirownperfectioninacertainfullnessofmeasureandalsowithsomerelativeease,itchieflyconsistsintheprotection
oftherights,andintheperformanceoftheduties,ofthehumanperson.(4)Thereforethecareoftherighttoreligiousfreedom
devolvesuponthewholecitizenry,uponsocialgroups,upongovernment,andupontheChurchandotherreligiouscommunities,in
virtueofthedutyofalltowardthecommonwelfare,andinthemannerpropertoeach.

Theprotectionandpromotionoftheinviolablerightsofmanranksamongtheessentialdutiesofgovernment.(5)Therefore
governmentistoassumethesafeguardofthereligiousfreedomofallitscitizens,inaneffectivemanner,byjustlawsandbyother
appropriatemeans.

Governmentisalsotohelpcreateconditionsfavorabletothefosteringofreligiouslife,inorderthatthepeoplemaybetrulyenabled
toexercisetheirreligiousrightsandtofulfilltheirreligiousduties,andalsoinorderthatsocietyitselfmayprofitbythemoralqualities
ofjusticeandpeacewhichhavetheirorigininmen'sfaithfulnesstoGodandtoHisholywill.(6)

If,inviewofpeculiarcircumstancesobtainingamongpeoples,specialcivilrecognitionisgiventoonereligiouscommunityinthe
constitutionalorderofsociety,itisatthesametimeimperativethattherightofallcitizensandreligiouscommunitiestoreligious
freedomshouldberecognizedandmadeeffectiveinpractice.
Finally,governmentistoseetoitthatequalityofcitizensbeforethelaw,whichisitselfanelementofthecommongood,isnever
violated,whetheropenlyorcovertly,forreligiousreasons.Noristheretobediscriminationamongcitizens.

Itfollowsthatawrongisdonewhengovernmentimposesuponitspeople,byforceorfearorothermeans,theprofessionor
repudiationofanyreligion,orwhenithindersmenfromjoiningorleavingareligiouscommunity.Allthemoreisitaviolationofthe
willofGodandofthesacredrightsofthepersonandthefamilyofnationswhenforceisbroughttobearinanywayinorderto
destroyorrepressreligion,eitherinthewholeofmankindorinaparticularcountryorinadefinitecommunity.

7.Therighttoreligiousfreedomisexercisedinhumansociety:henceitsexerciseissubjecttocertainregulatorynorms.Intheuseof
allfreedomsthemoralprincipleofpersonalandsocialresponsibilityistobeobserved.Intheexerciseoftheirrights,individualmen
andsocialgroupsareboundbythemorallawtohaverespectbothfortherightsofothersandfortheirowndutiestowardothersand
forthecommonwelfareofall.Menaretodealwiththeirfellowsinjusticeandcivility.

Furthermore,societyhastherighttodefenditselfagainstpossibleabusescommittedonthepretextoffreedomofreligion.Itisthe
specialdutyofgovernmenttoprovidethisprotection.However,governmentisnottoactinanarbitraryfashionorinanunfairspiritof
partisanship.Itsactionistobecontrolledbyjuridicalnormswhichareinconformitywiththeobjectivemoralorder.Thesenormsarise
outoftheneedfortheeffectivesafeguardoftherightsofallcitizensandforthepeacefulsettlementofconflictsofrights,alsooutof
theneedforanadequatecareofgenuinepublicpeace,whichcomesaboutwhenmenlivetogetheringoodorderandintruejustice,
andfinallyoutoftheneedforaproperguardianshipofpublicmorality.

Thesemattersconstitutethebasiccomponentofthecommonwelfare:theyarewhatismeantbypublicorder.Fortherest,the
usagesofsocietyaretobetheusagesoffreedomintheirfullrange:thatis,thefreedomofmanistoberespectedasfaraspossible
andisnottobecurtailedexceptwhenandinsofarasnecessary.

8.Manypressuresarebroughttobearuponthemenofourday,tothepointwherethedangerariseslesttheylosethepossibilityof
actingontheirownjudgment.Ontheotherhand,notafewcanbefoundwhoseeminclinedtousethenameoffreedomasthe
pretextforrefusingtosubmittoauthorityandformakinglightofthedutyofobedience.WhereforethisVaticanCouncilurges
everyone,especiallythosewhoarechargedwiththetaskofeducatingothers,todotheirutmosttoformmenwho,ontheonehand,
willrespectthemoralorderandbeobedienttolawfulauthority,andontheotherhand,willbeloversoftruefreedommen,inother
words,whowillcometodecisionsontheirownjudgmentandinthelightoftruth,governtheiractivitieswithasenseofresponsibility,
andstriveafterwhatistrueandright,willingalwaystojoinwithothersincooperativeeffort.

Religiousfreedomthereforeoughttohavethisfurtherpurposeandaim,namely,thatmenmaycometoactwithgreaterresponsibility
infulfillingtheirdutiesincommunitylife.

9.ThedeclarationofthisVaticanCouncilontherightofmantoreligiousfreedomhasitsfoundationinthedignityoftheperson,
whoseexigencieshavecometobearefullyknowntohumanreasonthroughcenturiesofexperience.Whatismore,thisdoctrineof
freedomhasrootsindivinerevelation,andforthisreasonChristiansareboundtorespectitallthemoreconscientiously.Revelation
doesnotindeedaffirminsomanywordstherightofmantoimmunityfromexternalcoercioninmattersreligious.Itdoes,however,
disclosethedignityofthehumanpersoninitsfulldimensions.ItgivesevidenceoftherespectwhichChristshowedtowardthe
freedomwithwhichmanistofulfillhisdutyofbeliefinthewordofGodanditgivesuslessonsinthespiritwhichdisciplesofsucha
Masteroughttoadoptandcontinuallyfollow.Thusfurtherlightiscastuponthegeneralprinciplesuponwhichthedoctrineofthis
declarationonreligiousfreedomisbased.Inparticular,religiousfreedominsocietyisentirelyconsonantwiththefreedomoftheact
ofChristianfaith.

10.ItisoneofthemajortenetsofCatholicdoctrinethatman'sresponsetoGodinfaithmustbefree:noonethereforeistobeforced
toembracetheChristianfaithagainsthisownwill.(8)ThisdoctrineiscontainedinthewordofGodanditwasconstantlyproclaimed
bytheFathersoftheChurch.(7)Theactoffaithisofitsverynatureafreeact.Man,redeemedbyChristtheSaviorandthrough
ChristJesuscalledtobeGod'sadoptedson,(9)cannotgivehisadherencetoGodrevealingHimselfunless,underthedrawingofthe
Father,(10)heofferstoGodthereasonableandfreesubmissionoffaith.Itisthereforecompletelyinaccordwiththenatureoffaith
thatinmattersreligiouseverymannerofcoerciononthepartofmenshouldbeexcluded.Inconsequence,theprincipleofreligious
freedommakesnosmallcontributiontothecreationofanenvironmentinwhichmencanwithouthindrancebeinvitedtothe
Christianfaith,embraceitoftheirownfreewill,andprofessiteffectivelyintheirwholemanneroflife.

11.GodcallsmentoserveHiminspiritandintruth,hencetheyareboundinconsciencebuttheystandundernocompulsion.God
hasregardforthedignityofthehumanpersonwhomHeHimselfcreatedandmanistobeguidedbyhisownjudgmentandheisto
enjoyfreedom.ThistruthappearsatitsheightinChristJesus,inwhomGodmanifestedHimselfandHiswayswithmen.Christisat
onceourMasterandourLord(11)andalsomeekandhumbleofheart.(12)InattractingandinvitingHisdisciplesHeusedpatience.
(13)HewroughtmiraclestoilluminateHisteachingandtoestablishitstruth,butHisintentionwastorousefaithinHishearersandto
confirmtheminfaith,nottoexertcoercionuponthem.(14)HedidindeeddenouncetheunbeliefofsomewholistenedtoHim,butHe
leftvengeancetoGodinexpectationofthedayofjudgment.(15)WhenHesentHisApostlesintotheworld,Hesaidtothem:"He
whobelievesandisbaptizedwillbesaved.Hewhodoesnotbelievewillbecondemned"(Mark16:16).ButHeHimself,notingthatthe
cocklehadbeensownamidthewheat,gaveordersthatbothshouldbeallowedtogrowuntiltheharvesttime,whichwillcomeatthe
endoftheworld.(16)Herefusedtobeapoliticalmessiah,rulingbyforce:(17)HepreferredtocallHimselftheSonofMan,whocame
"toserveandtogivehislifeasaransomforthemany"(Mark10:45).HeshowedHimselftheperfectservantofGod,(18)who"does
notbreakthebruisedreednorextinguishthesmokingflax"(Matt.12:20).

Heacknowledgedthepowerofgovernmentanditsrights,whenHecommandedthattributebegiventoCaesar:butHegaveclear
warningthatthehigherrightsofGodaretobekeptinviolate:"RendertoCaesarthethingsthatareCaesar'sandtoGodthethings
thatareGod's"(Matt.22:21).Intheend,whenHecompletedonthecrosstheworkofredemptionwherebyHeachievedsalvation
andtruefreedomformen,HebroughtHisrevelationtocompletion.ForHeborewitnesstothetruth,(19)butHerefusedtoimpose
thetruthbyforceonthosewhospokeagainstit.NotbyforceofblowsdoesHisruleassertitsclaims.(20)Itisestablishedby
witnessingtothetruthandbyhearingthetruth,anditextendsitsdominionbythelovewherebyChrist,lifteduponthecross,draws
allmentoHimself.(21)

TaughtbythewordandexampleofChrist,theApostlesfollowedthesameway.FromtheveryoriginsoftheChurchthedisciplesof
ChriststrovetoconvertmentofaithinChristastheLordnot,however,bytheuseofcoercionorofdevicesunworthyoftheGospel,
butbythepower,aboveall,ofthewordofGod.(22)SteadfastlytheyproclaimedtoalltheplanofGodourSavior,"whowillsthatall
menshouldbesavedandcometotheacknowledgmentofthetruth"(1Tim.2:4).Atthesametime,however,theyshowedrespect
forthoseofweakerstuff,eventhoughtheywereinerror,andthustheymadeitplainthat"eachoneofusistorendertoGodan
accountofhimself"(Romans14:12),(23)andforthatreasonisboundtoobeyhisconscience.LikeChristHimself,theApostleswere
unceasinglybentuponbearingwitnesstothetruthofGod,andtheyshowedthefullestmeasureofboldnessin"speakingtheword
withconfidence"(Acts4:31)(24)beforethepeopleandtheirrulers.WithafirmfaiththeyheldthattheGospelisindeedthepowerof
Goduntosalvationforallwhobelieve.(25)Thereforetheyrejectedall"carnalweapons:(26)theyfollowedtheexampleofthe
gentlenessandrespectfulnessofChristandtheypreachedthewordofGodinthefullconfidencethattherewasresidentinthisword
itselfadivinepowerabletodestroyalltheforcesarrayedagainstGod(27)andbringmentofaithinChristandtoHisservice.(28)As
theMaster,sotootheApostlesrecognizedlegitimatecivilauthority."ForthereisnopowerexceptfromGod",theApostleteaches,and
thereaftercommands:"Leteveryonebesubjecttohigherauthorities....HewhoresistsauthorityresistsGod'sordinance"(Romans
13:15).(29)Atthesametime,however,theydidnothesitatetospeakoutagainstgoverningpowerswhichsetthemselvesin
oppositiontotheholywillofGod:"ItisnecessarytoobeyGodratherthanmen"(Acts5:29).(30)Thisisthewayalongwhichthe
martyrsandotherfaithfulhavewalkedthroughallagesandoveralltheearth.

12.InfaithfulnessthereforetothetruthoftheGospel,theChurchisfollowingthewayofChristandtheapostleswhensherecognizes
andgivessupporttotheprincipleofreligiousfreedomasbefittingthedignityofmanandasbeinginaccordwithdivinerevelation.
ThroughouttheagestheChurchhaskeptsafeandhandedonthedoctrinereceivedfromtheMasterandfromtheapostles.Inthelife
ofthePeopleofGod,asithasmadeitspilgrimwaythroughthevicissitudesofhumanhistory,therehasattimesappearedawayof
actingthatwashardlyinaccordwiththespiritoftheGospelorevenopposedtoit.Nevertheless,thedoctrineoftheChurchthatno
oneistobecoercedintofaithhasalwaysstoodfirm.

ThustheleavenoftheGospelhaslongbeenaboutitsquietworkinthemindsofmen,andtoitisdueingreatmeasurethefactthat
inthecourseoftimemenhavecomemorewidelytorecognizetheirdignityaspersons,andtheconvictionhasgrownstrongerthat
thepersoninsocietyistobekeptfreefromallmannerofcoercioninmattersreligious.

13.AmongthethingsthatconcernthegoodoftheChurchandindeedthewelfareofsocietyhereonearththingsthereforethatare
alwaysandeverywheretobekeptsecureanddefendedagainstallinjurythiscertainlyispreeminent,namely,thattheChurchshould
enjoythatfullmeasureoffreedomwhichhercareforthesalvationofmenrequires.(31)Thisisasacredfreedom,becausetheonly
begottenSonendowedwithittheChurchwhichHepurchasedwithHisblood.IndeeditissomuchthepropertyoftheChurchthatto
actagainstitistoactagainstthewillofGod.ThefreedomoftheChurchisthefundamentalprincipleinwhatconcernstherelations
betweentheChurchandgovernmentsandthewholecivilorder.

InhumansocietyandinthefaceofgovernmenttheChurchclaimsfreedomforherselfinhercharacterasaspiritualauthority,
establishedbyChristtheLord,uponwhichthererests,bydivinemandate,thedutyofgoingoutintothewholeworldandpreaching
theGospeltoeverycreature.(32)TheChurchalsoclaimsfreedomforherselfinhercharacterasasocietyofmenwhohavetheright
toliveinsocietyinaccordancewiththepreceptsoftheChristianfaith.(33)

Inturn,wheretheprincipleofreligiousfreedomisnotonlyproclaimedinwordsorsimplyincorporatedinlawbutalsogivensincere
andpracticalapplication,theretheChurchsucceedsinachievingastablesituationofrightaswellasoffactandtheindependence
whichisnecessaryforthefulfillmentofherdivinemission.

ThisindependenceispreciselywhattheauthoritiesoftheChurchclaiminsociety.(34)Atthesametime,theChristianfaithful,in
commonwithallothermen,possessthecivilrightnottobehinderedinleadingtheirlivesinaccordancewiththeirconsciences.
Therefore,aharmonyexistsbetweenthefreedomoftheChurchandthereligiousfreedomwhichistoberecognizedastherightofall
menandcommunitiesandsanctionedbyconstitutionallaw.

14.Inordertobefaithfultothedivinecommand,"teachallnations"(Matt.28:1920),theCatholicChurchmustworkwithallurgency
andconcern"thatthewordofGodbespreadabroadandglorified"(2Thess.3:1).HencetheChurchearnestlybegsofitschildren
that,"firstofall,supplications,prayers,petitions,actsofthanksgivingbemadeforallmen....Forthisisgoodandagreeableinthe
sightofGodourSavior,whowillsthatallmenbesavedandcometotheknowledgeofthetruth"(1Tim.2:14).Intheformationof
theirconsciences,theChristianfaithfuloughtcarefullytoattendtothesacredandcertaindoctrineoftheChurch.(35)FortheChurch
is,bythewillofChrist,theteacherofthetruth.Itisherdutytogiveutteranceto,andauthoritativelytoteach,thattruthwhichis
ChristHimself,andalsotodeclareandconfirmbyherauthoritythoseprinciplesofthemoralorderwhichhavetheiroriginsinhuman
natureitself.Furthermore,letChristianswalkinwisdominthefaceofthoseoutside,"intheHolySpirit,inunaffectedlove,intheword
oftruth"(2Cor.6:67),andletthembeabouttheirtaskofspreadingthelightoflifewithallconfidence(36)andapostoliccourage,
eventothesheddingoftheirblood.

ThediscipleisboundbyagraveobligationtowardChrist,hisMaster,evermorefullytounderstandthetruthreceivedfromHim,
faithfullytoproclaimit,andvigorouslytodefendit,neverbeitunderstoodhavingrecoursetomeansthatareincompatiblewiththe
spiritoftheGospel.Atthesametime,thecharityofChristurgeshimtoloveandhaveprudenceandpatienceinhisdealingswith
thosewhoareinerrororinignorancewithregardtothefaith.(37)AllistobetakenintoaccounttheChristiandutytoChrist,thelife
givingwordwhichmustbeproclaimed,therightsofthehumanperson,andthemeasureofgracegrantedbyGodthroughChristto
menwhoareinvitedfreelytoacceptandprofessthefaith.
15.Thefactisthatmenofthepresentdaywanttobeablefreelytoprofesstheirreligioninprivateandinpublic.Indeed,religious
freedomhasalreadybeendeclaredtobeacivilrightinmostconstitutions,anditissolemnlyrecognizedininternationaldocuments.
(38)Thefurtherfactisthatformsofgovernmentstillexistunderwhich,eventhoughfreedomofreligiousworshipreceives
constitutionalrecognition,thepowersofgovernmentareengagedintheefforttodetercitizensfromtheprofessionofreligionandto
makelifeverydifficultanddangerousforreligiouscommunities.

Thiscouncilgreetswithjoythefirstofthesetwofactsasamongthesignsofthetimes.Withsorrow,however,itdenouncestheother
fact,asonlytobedeplored.ThecouncilexhortsCatholics,anditdirectsapleatoallmen,mostcarefullytoconsiderhowgreatly
necessaryreligiousfreedomis,especiallyinthepresentconditionofthehumanfamily.Allnationsarecomingintoevencloserunity.
Menofdifferentculturesandreligionsarebeingbroughttogetherincloserrelationships.Thereisagrowingconsciousnessofthe
personalresponsibilitythateverymanhas.Allthisisevident.Consequently,inorderthatrelationshipsofpeaceandharmonybe
establishedandmaintainedwithinthewholeofmankind,itisnecessarythatreligiousfreedombeeverywhereprovidedwithan
effectiveconstitutionalguaranteeandthatrespectbeshownforthehighdutyandrightofmanfreelytoleadhisreligiouslifein
society.

MaytheGodandFatherofallgrantthatthehumanfamily,throughcarefulobservanceoftheprincipleofreligiousfreedominsociety,
maybebroughtbythegraceofChristandthepoweroftheHolySpirittothesublimeandunendingand"gloriousfreedomofthe
sonsofGod"(Rom.8:21).

NOTES

1.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycl."PaceminTerris",April11,1963:AAS55(1963)p.279ibid.,p.265PiusXII,radiomessage,Dec.24,
1944:AAS37(1945),p.14.

2.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycL"PaceminTerris",April11,1963:AAS55(1963),pp.260261PiusXII,radiomessage,Dec.24,1942:AAS
35(1943),p.19PiusXI,encycl."MitBrennenderSorge",March14,1937:AAS29(1937),p.160LeoXIII,encycl."Libertas
Praestantissimum",June20,1888:ActsofLeoXIII8(1888),p.237238.

3.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycl."PaceminTerris",April11,1963:AAS55(1963),p.270PaulVI,radiomessage,Dec.22,1964:AAS57
(1965),pp.181182.

4.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycl."MateretMagistra",May15,1961:AAS53(1961),p.417idem,encycl."PaceminTerris",April11,1963:
AAS55(1963),p.273.

5.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycl."PaceminTerris",April11,1963:AAS55(1963),pp.273274PiusXII,radiomessage,June11941:AAS
33(1941),p.200.

6.Cf.LeoXIII,encycl."ImmortaleDei",Nov.1,1885:AAS18(1885)p.161.

7.Cf.Lactantius"DivinarumInstitutionum",BookV,19:CSEL19,pp.463464,465:PL6,614and616(ch.20)St.Ambrose,
"EpistolaadValentianumImp.",Letter21:PL16,1005St.Augustine,"ContraLitterasPetiliani",BookII,ch.83:CSEL52p.112:PL
43,315cf.C.23,q.5,c.33,(ed.Friedberg,col.939)idem,Letter23:PL33,98,idem,Letter34:PL33,132idem,Letter35:PL
33,135St.GregorytheGreat,"EpistolaadVirgiliumetTheodorumEpiscoposMassiliaeGalliarum,RegisterofLettersI,45:MGHEp.
1,p.72:PL77,510511(BookI,ep.47)idem,"EpistolaadJohannemEpiscopumConstantinopolitanum",RegisterofLetters,III,52:
MGHLetter1,p.210:PL77,649(BookIII,Letter53)cf.D.45,c.1(ed.Friedberg,col160)CouncilofToledoIV,c.57:Mansi10,
633cf.D.45,c.5(ed.Friedberg,col.161162)ClementIII:X.,V,6,9:ed.Friedberg,col.774InnocentIII,"Epistolaad
ArelatensemArchiepiscopum",X.,III,42,3:Friedberg,col.646.

8.Cf.CIC,c.1351PiusXII,allocutiontoprelateauditorsandotherofficialsandadministratorsofthetribuneoftheHolyRoman
Rota,Oct.6,1946:AAS38(1946),p.394idem.EncyclMysticiCorporis",June29,1943:AAS(1943)p.243.

9.Cf.Eph.1:5.

10.Cf.John6:44.

11.Cf.John13:13.

12.Cf.Matt.11:29.

13.Cf.Matt.11:2830John6:6768.

14.Cf.Matt.9:2829Mark9:23246:56PaulVI,encycl."EcclesiamSuam",Aug.6,1964:AAS56(1964),pp.642643.

15.Cf.Matt.11:2024Rom.12:19202Thess.1:8.

16.Cf.Matt.13:30and4042.

17.Cf.Matt.4:810John6:15.

18.Cf.Is.42:14.

19.Cf.John18:37.
20.Cf.Matt.26:5153John18:36.

21.Cf.John12:32.

22.Cf.1Cor.2:351Thess.2:35.

23.Cf.Rom.14:1231Cor.8:91310:2333.

24.Cf.Eph.6:1920.

25.Cf.Rom.1:16.

26.Cf.2Cor.10:41Thess.5:89.

27.Cf.Eph.6:1117.

28.Cf.2Cor.10:35.

29.Cf.1Pet.2:1317.

30.Cf.Acts4:1920.

31.Cf.LeoXIII,letter"OfficioSanctissimo",Dec.221887:AAS20(1887),p.269idem,letter"ExLitteris",April71887:AAS19
(1886),p.465.

32.Cf.Mark16:15Matt.28:1820,PiusXII,encycl."SummiPontificatus",Oct.20,1939:AAS31(1939).pp.445446.

33.Cf.PiusXI,letter"FirmissimanConstantiam",March28,1937:AAS29(1937),p.196.

34.Cf.PiusXII,allocution,"CiRiesce",Dec.6,1953:AAS45(1953),p.802.

35.Cf.PiusXII,radiomessage,March23,1952:AAS44(1952)pp.270278.

36.Cf.Acts4:29.

37.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycl."PaceminTerris",April11,1963:AAS55(1963),pp.299300.

38.Cf.JohnXXIII,encycl."PaceminTerris",April11,1963:AAS55(1963)pp.295296.

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