- Scrolls Left Behind
- Posts
- Transitions of the Papacy
Transitions of the Papacy
Bringing Overlooked and Lesser-Known History into Focus
Blake Williams
December 07, 2024
December 7th
Transitions of the Papacy
1965
Provided the just demands of public order are observed, religious communities 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 own lives in accordance with their religious principles.
Historically, the Roman Catholic Church has supported the idea of a confessional state, where government and religion are closely intertwined. However, as political and social landscapes evolved, the Church’s perspective has shifted. This transformation was addressed during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), which sought to modernize Church teachings and better align them with contemporary society.
On December 7, 1965, Pope Paul VI promulgated Dignitatis Humanae (Of the Dignity of the Human Person), in which the Catholic Church declared every person should have the right of religious liberty. A key passage from section 4 of the declaration, highlighted above, extends this right beyond individuals to religious communities, affirming their autonomy to govern themselves according to their beliefs. This marked a pivotal moment in the Catholic Church’s history, as it was a clear step toward acknowledging the separation of church and state and set the foundation for future religious movements.