Dignitatis Humanae

Declaration on Religious Freedom

Second Vatican Council; solemnly promulgated by St. Paul VI1965-12-07Current

Read official document on Vatican.va ↗Return to library

Overview

Teaches that the human person has a right to religious freedom understood as immunity from coercion within due limits of public order.

Why This Document Matters

It clarifies the relation between truth, conscience, human dignity, religious practice, and the proper limits of civil authority.

Historical Context

Promulgated at the close of Vatican II after sustained debate about religious liberty and the Church's relationship to modern states.

Authority and Status

Genre: Ecumenical Council Declaration
Authority class: Ecumenical council declaration
Juridical force: Doctrinal, moral, and pastoral
Current status: Current
Promulgated: 1965-12-07

A declaration of an ecumenical council, solemnly promulgated by the pope, presenting doctrinal principles and their social and juridical implications.

Key Points

Religious FreedomHuman DignityConscienceCivil Society

Major Themes

Religious FreedomHuman DignityConscienceCivil SocietyTruth

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Official Text

Dignitatis Humanae

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

Read official document on Vatican.va ↗Source verified 2026-08-25 · Opens in a new tab