The document outlines the development of the Catholic Church's position on religious liberty over time. It traces the shift from opposing liberalism and modernity in the 19th century to embracing religious freedom and pluralism in the 20th century. Key developments included Pope John XXIII's emphasis on human dignity in Pacem in Terris, the American experience of separation of church and state, and the final Declaration on Religious Liberty adopted by the Second Vatican Council in 1965 which affirmed every person's right to religious freedom.

1. Declaration on religious liberty
7 December 1965

2. (1) The long 19th century

3. Response to social upheaval
“If anyone thinks that… the Roman Pontiff
can and should reconcile and harmonise
himself with progress, with liberalism and
with recent civilisation… let him be
anathema”
Syllabus of Errors

4. A perfect society
1870 Papal infallibility
Vatican I
1925 Feast of Christ the King
Pius XI
1961 Mater et Magistra
John XXIII

5. Error has no rights
• If the majority are Catholic, state has duty to
profess the Catholic faith
• Citizens professing other religions do not have
the right not to be prevented from professing
them; but may be tolerated
• When Catholics a minority, state must
guarantee them freedom

6. Changing world: the challenge of
peace

7. (2) Pacem in Terris
• Different vision: establish human order in time
• Dignity of the human person
• “..the right of being able to worship God in
accordance with the right dictates of one’s
conscience and to profess one’s religion in
private and public” (n 14)
• UN Declaration of Human Rights: “goal to be
sought by all peoples and nations”
• From opposition to engagement

8. (3) The American experience

9. American Freedom and Catholic
Power

10. JFK
If my church attempted to influence me in a way
which was improper or which adversely affected my
responsibilities as a public servant sworn to uphold
the Constitution, then I would reply to them that
this was an improper action on their part. It was
one to which I would not subscribe.
Press conference Houston, Texas, 12 Sept 1960
We do not want an official state church. If 99% of
the population were Catholics, I would still be
opposed to it…
CBS-TV, Face the Nation, 30 Oct 1960

11. Development of the Declaration
• Schema on the church
• Decree on Ecumenism
• Independent document
Key arguments against:
• Concept of religious liberty
• Opened door to modernism and liberalism
Authors Pavan and Murray

12. Opening words
“People nowadays are becoming increasingly
conscious of the dignity of the human person; a
growing number demand that they should exercise
fully their own judgement and a responsible
freedom in their actions and should not be subject
to external pressure or coercion but inspired by a
sense of duty…This Vatican Council pays attention
to these spiritual aspirations and, with a view to
declaring to what extent they are in accord with
truth and justice, searches the sacred tradition and
teaching of the church, from which it draws new
insights in harmony with the old.”

13. Article two
• Every person has a right to religious freedom
• Concerns the relationship between people
• Right to freedom from coercion
• Right founded on the dignity of the human
person
• To be recognised as a civil right in
constitutional law

14. Article 6
“If because of the circumstances of a
particular people, special civil recognition is
given to one religious community in the
constitutional organisation of a state, the
right of all citizens and religious
communities to religious freedom must be
recognised and respected by all”

15. Articles 7-11
• Criteria: the common good and public order
• Education: freedom can become the pursuit of
self interest
• Revelation: does not formally affirm religious
liberty but deeply rooted in it
“Christ, who is our Master and Lord and at the same
time is meek and humble of heart, acted patiently in
attracting and inviting his disciples,,, He bore
witness to the truth but refused to use force to
impose it…” (n11)

16. Articles 12-15
Development of doctrine:
• Church not always acted in this spirit
• Democratic constitutional state
• “The leaven of the Gospel has long been at
work..”
Freedom to accomplish mission
Make disciples of all nations

17. UN visit 4 October 1965
“You proclaim here the rights and
fundamental duties of human beings -
their dignity, their liberty, and above
all their religious liberty.”
Paul VI
Final vote: 2,384 - 70

18. End of Christendom
“The church… does not rest its hopes on
privileges offered to it by civil authorities;
indeed it will even give up the exercise of
certain legitimately acquired rights in
situations where their use calls into
question the sincerity of its witness or
where new circumstances require a
different arrangement”. (GeS 76)

19. New tone
Yours is a land of ancient cultures, the
cradle of great religions, the home of a
nation that has sought God with a
relentless desire in deep meditation
and silence, and hymns of fervent
prayer.
Paul VI on visit to India 1964

20. Questions
• The church in the public square: dialogue
Issue of “Catholic” Europe and Scotland today
• Acceptance of the secular state
Are we tempted to retreat?
• Pluralism: issues of discernment and
interpretation
Whose voices?