A good idea of its size: in comparison!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 10
Finally, government is to see to it that the
equality of citizens before the law, which is itself an
element of the common welfare, is never violated for
religious reasons whether openly or covertly. Nor is
there to be discrimination among citizens.
It follows that a wrong is done when government
imposes upon its people, by force or fear or other
means, the profession or repudiation of any religion,
or when it hinders men from joining or leaving a
religious body. All the more is it a violation of the will
of God and of the sacred rights of the person and the
family of nations, when force is brought to bear in any
way in order to destroy or repress religion, either in
the whole of mankind or in a particular country or in a
specific community.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 6
December 7, 1965
.
.
Reflection for Day Ten:
Because all human beings possess equal dignity, value,
and worth, the government is to ensure that this
equality is maintained both for the good of the individual
and for the good of society as a whole. This
equality specifically should not be violated on religious
grounds. Each religious body and the members
of that body have equal rights to religious liberty. This
equality demands that there be no discrimination
based upon one’s religious beliefs.
The Council Fathers now stress that, based upon
this equality among its citizens, no government is
permitted to impose in any way “the profession or
repudiation of any religion.” Such an imposition is a
violation of the right to be true to one’s conscience.
Because of the freedom of conscience, the government
is also not permitted to deny a person the right
to join or leave a religious body. The government
has no right to stipulate what a person can or cannot
believe.
If the above is true, then the Council states that
it is all the more wrong when “force is brought to
bear in any way in order to destroy or repress religion.”
This not only applies to governments but also
to religious bodies themselves. No religious body is
permitted to harass or seek to eliminate another religious
group.
Within our contemporary world, where is religious
equality denied or religious discrimination tolerated?
Are there instances where one religion violates
the rights of other religions?
.
equality of citizens before the law, which is itself an
element of the common welfare, is never violated for
religious reasons whether openly or covertly. Nor is
there to be discrimination among citizens.
It follows that a wrong is done when government
imposes upon its people, by force or fear or other
means, the profession or repudiation of any religion,
or when it hinders men from joining or leaving a
religious body. All the more is it a violation of the will
of God and of the sacred rights of the person and the
family of nations, when force is brought to bear in any
way in order to destroy or repress religion, either in
the whole of mankind or in a particular country or in a
specific community.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 6
December 7, 1965
.
Reflection for Day Ten:
Because all human beings possess equal dignity, value,
and worth, the government is to ensure that this
equality is maintained both for the good of the individual
and for the good of society as a whole. This
equality specifically should not be violated on religious
grounds. Each religious body and the members
of that body have equal rights to religious liberty. This
equality demands that there be no discrimination
based upon one’s religious beliefs.
The Council Fathers now stress that, based upon
this equality among its citizens, no government is
permitted to impose in any way “the profession or
repudiation of any religion.” Such an imposition is a
violation of the right to be true to one’s conscience.
Because of the freedom of conscience, the government
is also not permitted to deny a person the right
to join or leave a religious body. The government
has no right to stipulate what a person can or cannot
believe.
If the above is true, then the Council states that
it is all the more wrong when “force is brought to
bear in any way in order to destroy or repress religion.”
This not only applies to governments but also
to religious bodies themselves. No religious body is
permitted to harass or seek to eliminate another religious
group.
Within our contemporary world, where is religious
equality denied or religious discrimination tolerated?
Are there instances where one religion violates
the rights of other religions?
.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 9
The protection and promotion of the inviolable
rights of man ranks among the essential duties
of government. Therefore, government is to assume the
safeguard of the religious freedom of all its citizens, in
an effective manner, by just laws and by other appropriate
means. Government is also to help create conditions
favorable to the fostering of religious life, in order
that the people may be truly enabled to exercise their
religious rights and to fulfill their religious duties, and
also in order that society itself may profit by the moral
qualities of justice and peace which have their origin
in men’s faithfulness to God and to His holy will.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 6
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Nine:
Once again, the Council Fathers turn to what they
consider a very important issue. It is not simply that
governments should not deny or impede the religious
freedom of their citizens, it is also of the utmost
importance that they positively, through just laws, be
the guardians of religious freedom, so that no constituency—
religious or secular—within society would
seek to undermine the religious freedom of all. While
few today would consider this, the next point that the
Council Fathers make is also very significant. Governments
should actually “help create conditions favorable
to the fostering of religious life.” While governments
do not control religions, they should recognize
their value and so promote their well-being. This
allows all religious bodies and their members to exercise
their religious rights and “fulfill their religious
duties.” The government’s fostering the religious life
of its citizens not only benefits those citizens but also,
the Council states, contributes to the good of society
as a whole. It helps society grow in its understanding
and implementation of what contributes to justice
and peace. This justice and peace find their origin in
God, who desires the good of all.
How do governments protect and promote the
religious life of their citizens? Do governments take
this into consideration today? In the U.S., how does
the government foster religious life while respecting
the principle of separation of church and state?
.
rights of man ranks among the essential duties
of government. Therefore, government is to assume the
safeguard of the religious freedom of all its citizens, in
an effective manner, by just laws and by other appropriate
means. Government is also to help create conditions
favorable to the fostering of religious life, in order
that the people may be truly enabled to exercise their
religious rights and to fulfill their religious duties, and
also in order that society itself may profit by the moral
qualities of justice and peace which have their origin
in men’s faithfulness to God and to His holy will.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 6
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Nine:
Once again, the Council Fathers turn to what they
consider a very important issue. It is not simply that
governments should not deny or impede the religious
freedom of their citizens, it is also of the utmost
importance that they positively, through just laws, be
the guardians of religious freedom, so that no constituency—
religious or secular—within society would
seek to undermine the religious freedom of all. While
few today would consider this, the next point that the
Council Fathers make is also very significant. Governments
should actually “help create conditions favorable
to the fostering of religious life.” While governments
do not control religions, they should recognize
their value and so promote their well-being. This
allows all religious bodies and their members to exercise
their religious rights and “fulfill their religious
duties.” The government’s fostering the religious life
of its citizens not only benefits those citizens but also,
the Council states, contributes to the good of society
as a whole. It helps society grow in its understanding
and implementation of what contributes to justice
and peace. This justice and peace find their origin in
God, who desires the good of all.
How do governments protect and promote the
religious life of their citizens? Do governments take
this into consideration today? In the U.S., how does
the government foster religious life while respecting
the principle of separation of church and state?
.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 8
Since the family is a society in its own original
right, it has the right freely to live its own domestic
religious life under the guidance of parents. Parents,
moreover, have the right to determine, in accordance
with their own religious beliefs, the kind of religious
education that their children are to receive.
Government, in consequence, must acknowledge
the right of parents to make a genuinely free choice of
schools and of other means of education. The use of
this freedom of choice is not to be made a reason for
imposing unjust burdens on parents, whether directly
or indirectly. Besides, the rights of parents are violated
if their children are forced to attend lessons or instructions
which are not in agreement with their religious
beliefs. The same is true if a single system of education,
from which all religious formation is excluded, is
imposed upon all.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 5
December 7, 1965
+ + + + + + + + + +
Reflection for Day Eight
The Council Fathers now address the religious freedom
that is enjoyed by the family. Families have the
right to live out their faith within the family. Moreover,
parents have a natural right to religiously guide
their families. They are the ones who have primary
responsibility for the care and education of their
children, and this is especially true of the religious
education of their children. Thus, while parents are
primarily responsible for the religious education, they
are also free to choose the kind of religious education
their children receive.
From within the Catholic tradition, Vatican II
stated that the family is a “domestic church,” that is,it is within the family that children are first taught the
Gospel, are taught to pray and to keep the Commandments.
Together the members of a family live out the
Gospel life of love. In keeping with this, the Council
states that parents must be free to choose their children’s
schooling. The exercise of this freedom should
not be the cause of undue financial burdens upon
the family. Likewise, children should not be forced
to attend instruction that is contrary to the religious
belief of their families. Lastly, if there is only one form
of education within a country, this does not mean that
all religious instruction should be forbidden. Accommodation
is to be made. What we see here is the
Church ardently wanting to assure a broad and extensive
scope for families to live out their faith as families,
and this extends to the education of children.
Why is the above important for parents and their
families? Are the above aspects of domestic religious
freedom jeopardized today?
right, it has the right freely to live its own domestic
religious life under the guidance of parents. Parents,
moreover, have the right to determine, in accordance
with their own religious beliefs, the kind of religious
education that their children are to receive.
Government, in consequence, must acknowledge
the right of parents to make a genuinely free choice of
schools and of other means of education. The use of
this freedom of choice is not to be made a reason for
imposing unjust burdens on parents, whether directly
or indirectly. Besides, the rights of parents are violated
if their children are forced to attend lessons or instructions
which are not in agreement with their religious
beliefs. The same is true if a single system of education,
from which all religious formation is excluded, is
imposed upon all.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 5
December 7, 1965
+ + + + + + + + + +
Reflection for Day Eight
The Council Fathers now address the religious freedom
that is enjoyed by the family. Families have the
right to live out their faith within the family. Moreover,
parents have a natural right to religiously guide
their families. They are the ones who have primary
responsibility for the care and education of their
children, and this is especially true of the religious
education of their children. Thus, while parents are
primarily responsible for the religious education, they
are also free to choose the kind of religious education
their children receive.
From within the Catholic tradition, Vatican II
stated that the family is a “domestic church,” that is,it is within the family that children are first taught the
Gospel, are taught to pray and to keep the Commandments.
Together the members of a family live out the
Gospel life of love. In keeping with this, the Council
states that parents must be free to choose their children’s
schooling. The exercise of this freedom should
not be the cause of undue financial burdens upon
the family. Likewise, children should not be forced
to attend instruction that is contrary to the religious
belief of their families. Lastly, if there is only one form
of education within a country, this does not mean that
all religious instruction should be forbidden. Accommodation
is to be made. What we see here is the
Church ardently wanting to assure a broad and extensive
scope for families to live out their faith as families,
and this extends to the education of children.
Why is the above important for parents and their
families? Are the above aspects of domestic religious
freedom jeopardized today?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 7
.
Religious bodies also have the right not
to be hindered in their public teaching and witness
to their faith, whether by the spoken or by the written
word. However, in spreading religious faith and in
introducing religious practices, everyone ought at all
times to refrain from any manner of action which might
seem to carry a hint of coercion or of a kind of persuasion
that would be dishonorable or unworthy, especially
when dealing with poor or uneducated people.
Such a manner of action would have to be considered
an abuse of one’s own right and a violation of the
rights of others.
In addition, it comes within the meaning of religious
freedom that religious bodies should not be
prohibited from freely undertaking to show the special
value of their doctrine in what concerns the organization
of society and the inspiration of the whole of
human activity. Finally, the social nature of man and
the very nature of religion afford the foundation of the
right of men freely to hold meetings and to establish
educational, cultural, charitable, and social organizations,
under the impulse of their own religious sense.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 4
December 7, 1965
.
Reflection for Day Seven
While the Council Fathers insist that religious bodies
must be free to teach and bear witness to their faith,
they equally stress that this freedom must never be
abused. It is not only govern
ments that can deny their
freedom; in attempting to spread their own beliefs,
religions should not force others, physically or psychologically,
to convert. Rather, each person’s dignity
and freedom must be maintained. The accepting of
religious beliefs must be an act of freedom, otherwise
it is done not because it is believed to be true but
rather out of fear and force. The right to profess and
proclaim one’s own faith cannot violate the same
right of another.
That being said, religious bodies should be free to
provide reasons as to why their beliefs are true and
why it would be of value for others to believe what
they believe. They should also be free to address how
their beliefs contribute to the good of society.
What contemporary examples are there of religious
bodies using coercion in an attempt to spread
their faith or hindering others from exercising their
faith? What contributions does the Catholic Church
make to society and culture?
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 6
The freedom or immunity from coercion in
matters religious which is the endowment of persons
as individuals is also to be recognized as their right
when they act in community. Religious bodies are a
requirement of the social nature both of man and of
religion itself.
Provided the just requirements of public order are
observed, religious bodies rightfully claim freedom in
order that they may govern themselves according to
their own norms, honor the Supreme Being in public
worship, assist their members in the practice of the
religious life, strengthen them by instruction, and promote
institutions in which they may join together for the
purpose of ordering their lives in accordance with their
religious principles.
Religious bodies also have the right not to be
hindered, either by legal measures or by administrative
action on the part of government, in the selection,
training, appointment, and transferral of their own ministers,
in communicating with religious authorities and
communities abroad, in erecting buildings for religious
purposes, and in the acquisition and use of suitable
funds or properties.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
Reflection for Day Six
The Council once more addresses the public nature of
religious belief. Religious communities have a right to
act as a community of faith, for this is inherent within
the social nature of human beings and religious belief
itself. Provided that the just civil and religious rights
of others are not transgressed, religious bodies must
possess the freedom to live out publicly what they
believe. They must be free to gather for worship, to
instruct their members, and to develop institutions
that further the religious life of their members. From
within the Catholic tradition this would include religious
institutes and orders, schools, fraternities and
sodalities, prayer groups, and Bible study groups.
Likewise, religious bodies must be free to appoint
and train their own ministers. For Catholics, that
means the Church’s freedom at least to appoint
bishops and ordain priests. It also means that Catholics
are free to be loyal to their church and its leaders
while also being loyal to their country and its leaders.
Religious bodies should also be free to govern themselves
financially.
Consider examples in contemporary life where
governments—federal, state, or local—fail to respect
the above rights? What is the relationship between
the religious freedom of individuals and institutions?
matters religious which is the endowment of persons
as individuals is also to be recognized as their right
when they act in community. Religious bodies are a
requirement of the social nature both of man and of
religion itself.
Provided the just requirements of public order are
observed, religious bodies rightfully claim freedom in
order that they may govern themselves according to
their own norms, honor the Supreme Being in public
worship, assist their members in the practice of the
religious life, strengthen them by instruction, and promote
institutions in which they may join together for the
purpose of ordering their lives in accordance with their
religious principles.
Religious bodies also have the right not to be
hindered, either by legal measures or by administrative
action on the part of government, in the selection,
training, appointment, and transferral of their own ministers,
in communicating with religious authorities and
communities abroad, in erecting buildings for religious
purposes, and in the acquisition and use of suitable
funds or properties.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
Reflection for Day Six
The Council once more addresses the public nature of
religious belief. Religious communities have a right to
act as a community of faith, for this is inherent within
the social nature of human beings and religious belief
itself. Provided that the just civil and religious rights
of others are not transgressed, religious bodies must
possess the freedom to live out publicly what they
believe. They must be free to gather for worship, to
instruct their members, and to develop institutions
that further the religious life of their members. From
within the Catholic tradition this would include religious
institutes and orders, schools, fraternities and
sodalities, prayer groups, and Bible study groups.
Likewise, religious bodies must be free to appoint
and train their own ministers. For Catholics, that
means the Church’s freedom at least to appoint
bishops and ordain priests. It also means that Catholics
are free to be loyal to their church and its leaders
while also being loyal to their country and its leaders.
Religious bodies should also be free to govern themselves
financially.
Consider examples in contemporary life where
governments—federal, state, or local—fail to respect
the above rights? What is the relationship between
the religious freedom of individuals and institutions?
Monday, June 25, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 5
There is a further consideration. The religious
acts whereby men, in private and in public and out
of a sense of personal conviction, direct their lives to
God transcend by their very nature the order of terrestrial
and temporal affairs. Government, therefore,
ought indeed to take account of the religious life of the
people and show it favor, since the function of government
is to make provision for the common welfare.
However, it would clearly transgress the limits set to its
power were it to presume to direct or inhibit acts that
are religious.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 3
December 7, 1965
.
Reflection for Day Five
What the Council Fathers teach in this short paragraph
is very important. They previously stated that
governments should not deny religious liberty. Here
they state what governments should positively do
with regards to religion. Since people, through their
religious beliefs, direct their lives toward God, governments
are positively to take this into account. Not
only should governments not hinder religious life,
they should also “show it favor.” Since religious belief
is a good within culture and society, governments
should foster and aid the good that religion brings
to the commonwealth. This does not mean that a
government should favor one religion over another or
that it should attempt to direct what religions should
believe or do. Rather, governments are to create an
environment in which religious life flourishes for the
good of all. In providing such an environment where
religious life prospers, governments contribute to the
good of individuals as well as to the good of society as
a whole.
How does religion contribute to the good of society?
In what ways might it hinder the good of society?
Do contemporary Western governments view religion
in a positive or negative light? How can governments
today foster or aid the good of religious belief?
acts whereby men, in private and in public and out
of a sense of personal conviction, direct their lives to
God transcend by their very nature the order of terrestrial
and temporal affairs. Government, therefore,
ought indeed to take account of the religious life of the
people and show it favor, since the function of government
is to make provision for the common welfare.
However, it would clearly transgress the limits set to its
power were it to presume to direct or inhibit acts that
are religious.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 3
December 7, 1965
.
Reflection for Day Five
What the Council Fathers teach in this short paragraph
is very important. They previously stated that
governments should not deny religious liberty. Here
they state what governments should positively do
with regards to religion. Since people, through their
religious beliefs, direct their lives toward God, governments
are positively to take this into account. Not
only should governments not hinder religious life,
they should also “show it favor.” Since religious belief
is a good within culture and society, governments
should foster and aid the good that religion brings
to the commonwealth. This does not mean that a
government should favor one religion over another or
that it should attempt to direct what religions should
believe or do. Rather, governments are to create an
environment in which religious life flourishes for the
good of all. In providing such an environment where
religious life prospers, governments contribute to the
good of individuals as well as to the good of society as
a whole.
How does religion contribute to the good of society?
In what ways might it hinder the good of society?
Do contemporary Western governments view religion
in a positive or negative light? How can governments
today foster or aid the good of religious belief?
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 4
On his part, man perceives and acknowledges
the imperatives of the divine law through the mediation
of conscience. In all his activity a man is bound to
follow his conscience faithfully, in order that he may
come to God, for whom he was created. It follows
that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary
to his conscience. Nor, on the other hand, is he to be
restrained from acting in accordance with his conscience,
especially in matters religious.
For, of its very nature, the exercise of religion
consists before all else in those internal, voluntary, and
free acts whereby man sets the course of life directly
toward God. No merely human power can either command
or prohibit acts of this kind.
However, the social nature of man itself requires
that he should give external expression to his internal
acts of religion; that he should participate with others
in matters religious; that he should profess his religion
in community. Injury, therefore, is done to the human
person and to the very order established by God for
human life, if the free exercise of religion is denied in
society when the just requirements of public order do
not so require.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 3
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Four
It is through their consciences that human beings
perceive the requirements of the divine law. Human
beings must follow faithfully their conscience if they
are to grow in their knowledge of and union with
God. Again, the Council restates that, because of
this, no one should either be forced to act contrary to
his or her conscience or be forbidden to act in accordance
with his or her conscience. This is especially
the case when it involves one’s religious beliefs. The
Council Fathers note that this applies not only to
one’s internal private religious acts but also to public
communal religious acts. Human beings hold religious
beliefs within a community of like-minded believers
and so have the right to publicly live out their beliefs.
To forbid the just and proper public expressions of
religious belief would be contrary to the order that
God has established for human beings as social and
religious beings.
The Council Fathers want to ensure that religious
liberty is understood to be both private and public. It
cannot be limited to what takes places in houses of
worship. Rather, since religion is by its nature a social
phenomenon, its presence within the broader society
and culture should not be hindered or forbidden.
In what ways is religion being reduced to the
merely personal and private? Why should religion
have a voice in the public square?
the imperatives of the divine law through the mediation
of conscience. In all his activity a man is bound to
follow his conscience faithfully, in order that he may
come to God, for whom he was created. It follows
that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary
to his conscience. Nor, on the other hand, is he to be
restrained from acting in accordance with his conscience,
especially in matters religious.
For, of its very nature, the exercise of religion
consists before all else in those internal, voluntary, and
free acts whereby man sets the course of life directly
toward God. No merely human power can either command
or prohibit acts of this kind.
However, the social nature of man itself requires
that he should give external expression to his internal
acts of religion; that he should participate with others
in matters religious; that he should profess his religion
in community. Injury, therefore, is done to the human
person and to the very order established by God for
human life, if the free exercise of religion is denied in
society when the just requirements of public order do
not so require.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 3
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Four
It is through their consciences that human beings
perceive the requirements of the divine law. Human
beings must follow faithfully their conscience if they
are to grow in their knowledge of and union with
God. Again, the Council restates that, because of
this, no one should either be forced to act contrary to
his or her conscience or be forbidden to act in accordance
with his or her conscience. This is especially
the case when it involves one’s religious beliefs. The
Council Fathers note that this applies not only to
one’s internal private religious acts but also to public
communal religious acts. Human beings hold religious
beliefs within a community of like-minded believers
and so have the right to publicly live out their beliefs.
To forbid the just and proper public expressions of
religious belief would be contrary to the order that
God has established for human beings as social and
religious beings.
The Council Fathers want to ensure that religious
liberty is understood to be both private and public. It
cannot be limited to what takes places in houses of
worship. Rather, since religion is by its nature a social
phenomenon, its presence within the broader society
and culture should not be hindered or forbidden.
In what ways is religion being reduced to the
merely personal and private? Why should religion
have a voice in the public square?
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 3
Further light is shed on the subject if one considers
that the highest norm of human life is the divine
law—eternal, objective, and universal—whereby God
orders, directs, and governs the entire universe and all
the ways of human community, by a plan conceived
in wisdom and love. Man has been made by God to
participate in this law, with the result that, under the
gentle disposition of divine Providence, he can come to
perceive ever increasingly the unchanging truth. Hence
every man has the duty, and therefore the right, to seek
the truth in matters religious, in order that he may with
prudence form for himself right and true judgments of
conscience, with the use of all suitable means.
Truth, however, is to be sought after in a manner
proper to the dignity of the human person and his
social nature. The inquiry is to be free, carried on with
the aid of teaching or instruction, communication, and
dialogue. In the course of these, men explain to one
another the truth they have discovered, or think they
have discovered, in order thus to assist one another in
the quest for truth. Moreover, as the truth is discovered,
it is by a personal assent that men are to adhere to it.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 3
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Three
God is the author of all truth and all good. All of
what is true and good in our world and cosmos finds
its source in God, the Creator of all. Moreover, what
is true and good about ourselves as human beings
finds its source in God in that he created us in his
image and likeness. Thus, for the Council Fathers, all
that exists is in conformity with the divine law, the
providential plan of God.
Because of this, the Council emphasizes that
truth must be “sought after in a manner proper to the
dignity of the human person and his social nature.”
This means that human beings must be free to seek
the truth. However, human beings do not seek the
truth as isolated individuals. The search for the truth
is common to all, and so all share in the finding of
truth and all share in the receiving of truth from others.
Because the search for truth, the finding of truth,
and the sharing of truth is a social exercise, human
beings must not only be free to search for truth in the
hope of finding it, they must also be free to communicate
and discuss together the truth they believe they
have found. It is through our free assent that we each
personally lay hold of the truth.
What are the contemporary means of seeking,
finding, and sharing truth? In what ways can this freedom
to seek, to find, and to share be inhibited?
.
that the highest norm of human life is the divine
law—eternal, objective, and universal—whereby God
orders, directs, and governs the entire universe and all
the ways of human community, by a plan conceived
in wisdom and love. Man has been made by God to
participate in this law, with the result that, under the
gentle disposition of divine Providence, he can come to
perceive ever increasingly the unchanging truth. Hence
every man has the duty, and therefore the right, to seek
the truth in matters religious, in order that he may with
prudence form for himself right and true judgments of
conscience, with the use of all suitable means.
Truth, however, is to be sought after in a manner
proper to the dignity of the human person and his
social nature. The inquiry is to be free, carried on with
the aid of teaching or instruction, communication, and
dialogue. In the course of these, men explain to one
another the truth they have discovered, or think they
have discovered, in order thus to assist one another in
the quest for truth. Moreover, as the truth is discovered,
it is by a personal assent that men are to adhere to it.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 3
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Three
God is the author of all truth and all good. All of
what is true and good in our world and cosmos finds
its source in God, the Creator of all. Moreover, what
is true and good about ourselves as human beings
finds its source in God in that he created us in his
image and likeness. Thus, for the Council Fathers, all
that exists is in conformity with the divine law, the
providential plan of God.
Because of this, the Council emphasizes that
truth must be “sought after in a manner proper to the
dignity of the human person and his social nature.”
This means that human beings must be free to seek
the truth. However, human beings do not seek the
truth as isolated individuals. The search for the truth
is common to all, and so all share in the finding of
truth and all share in the receiving of truth from others.
Because the search for truth, the finding of truth,
and the sharing of truth is a social exercise, human
beings must not only be free to search for truth in the
hope of finding it, they must also be free to communicate
and discuss together the truth they believe they
have found. It is through our free assent that we each
personally lay hold of the truth.
What are the contemporary means of seeking,
finding, and sharing truth? In what ways can this freedom
to seek, to find, and to share be inhibited?
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Fortnight4Freedom: Day 2
It is in accordance with their dignity as persons—
that is, being endowed with reason and free
will and therefore privileged to bear personal responsibility—
that all men should be at once impelled by
nature and also bound by a moral obligation to seek
the truth, especially religious truth. They are also
bound to adhere to the truth, once it is known, and
to order their whole lives in accord with the demands
of truth.
However, men cannot discharge these obligations
in a manner in keeping with their own nature
unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as
well as psychological freedom. Therefore, the right to
religious freedom has its foundation, not in the subjective
disposition of the person, but in his very nature.
In consequence, the right to this immunity continues to
exist even in those who do not live up to their obligation
of seeking the truth and adhering to it. Nor is the
exercise of this right to be impeded, provided that the
just requirements of public order are observed.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 2
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Two
The Council Fathers note that it is precisely because
human beings are “endowed with reason and free
will” that they naturally seek what is true and good
and also, then, have “a moral obligation” to search
for the truth. This is especially the case of seeking
religious truth. Moreover, the truth they believe
they have come to know binds them to that truth.
Even if the “truth” they believe is not actually true,
yet, because they believe it is true, they are bound to
follow their conscience. As long as what they believe
does not infringe the just rights of others, they cannot
be coerced into giving up or changing what
they believe.
Moreover, the Council states that in order for
human beings to fulfill their obligation to seek the
truth and live by it, they must be free to do so. No
one or no authority is to force them to believe something
to which they themselves have not freely given
their consent.
Why does the Council stress the need to seek
freely religious truth? Why do those who believe what
is actually false still possess religious freedom?
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that is, being endowed with reason and free
will and therefore privileged to bear personal responsibility—
that all men should be at once impelled by
nature and also bound by a moral obligation to seek
the truth, especially religious truth. They are also
bound to adhere to the truth, once it is known, and
to order their whole lives in accord with the demands
of truth.
However, men cannot discharge these obligations
in a manner in keeping with their own nature
unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as
well as psychological freedom. Therefore, the right to
religious freedom has its foundation, not in the subjective
disposition of the person, but in his very nature.
In consequence, the right to this immunity continues to
exist even in those who do not live up to their obligation
of seeking the truth and adhering to it. Nor is the
exercise of this right to be impeded, provided that the
just requirements of public order are observed.
Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 2
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Two
The Council Fathers note that it is precisely because
human beings are “endowed with reason and free
will” that they naturally seek what is true and good
and also, then, have “a moral obligation” to search
for the truth. This is especially the case of seeking
religious truth. Moreover, the truth they believe
they have come to know binds them to that truth.
Even if the “truth” they believe is not actually true,
yet, because they believe it is true, they are bound to
follow their conscience. As long as what they believe
does not infringe the just rights of others, they cannot
be coerced into giving up or changing what
they believe.
Moreover, the Council states that in order for
human beings to fulfill their obligation to seek the
truth and live by it, they must be free to do so. No
one or no authority is to force them to believe something
to which they themselves have not freely given
their consent.
Why does the Council stress the need to seek
freely religious truth? Why do those who believe what
is actually false still possess religious freedom?
.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Fortnight4Freedom: Day 1
Reflection for Day 1
In the opening chapter of Declaration on Religious
Liberty, the Council Fathers at Vatican II forthrightly
declared that “the human person has a right
to religious freedom.” This right is founded upon the
intrinsic dignity of the human person. From God’s
revelation we know that the dignity of human beings
resides in their being created in the image and likeness
of God (Gn 1:27). Like God we are intelligent
beings with free will. Because of this we can know
the truth and perform God-like actions, such as being
loving, kind, forgiving, etc. Reason itself, in knowing
what a human being is, confirms that we possess
a dignity and worth that exceeds the rest of creation
and that cannot be violated, but rather needs to be
protected and fostered.
What human beings believe concerning God is of
supreme importance. Religious belief lies at the very
center of who we are in relation to what is most central
and cherished in our lives. Therefore, the Council
insists that the religious convictions of individuals
or groups should never be coerced but must be held
freely, protected by a civil constitutional right.
What challenges to religious liberty do you see
within our contemporary world? When the Council
says that religious liberty must be upheld “within due
limits,” what would fall outside of “due limits”? What
religious belief would seriously offend the moral order
or a just law?
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Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty
O God our Creator
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Say this prayer every day thru July 4)
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
A stolen few hours on Bayou Texar:
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Time for a little shade under the Cervantes St bridge into East Pensacola Heights:
Time for a little shade under the Cervantes St bridge into East Pensacola Heights:
Today is the First Day of Summer: 2012
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Enjoy some time with yourself and with your family. And, of course, with God.
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Restful get-away:
The kayak I borrowed to spend a late morning in the Pensacola Sound between Gulf Breeze and Santa Rosa Island.
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Thank you Patty and Jean Marie.
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Thank you Patty and Jean Marie.
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"I do"
On my regular, daily evening bike ride this past Saturday I passed this wedding just getting under way. The Bride walks up the aisle. The wedding took place on the edge of the water along Palafox Place.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Our Lady of St. Joseph
St. Joseph's own painting of Our Lady of St. Joseph, which hangs in our Narthex, is now one of the works which hangs from the wall of a local business in Brownsville.
Thanks to Donna O'Neal her talent.
Three paintings hang on the side wall of a local business. Ours is the farthest left:
These 2 shots show how it looks on the wall from a closer perspective:
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Thanks to Donna O'Neal her talent.
Three paintings hang on the side wall of a local business. Ours is the farthest left:
These 2 shots show how it looks on the wall from a closer perspective:
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