In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Reviewed by:
  • Evangelization and Religious Freedom: Ad Gentes, Dignitatis Humanae by Steven B. Bevans, SVD and Jeffrey Gros, FSC
  • Sean O. Sheridan T.O.R.
Evangelization and Religious Freedom: Ad Gentes, Dignitatis Humanae, by Steven B. Bevans, SVD and Jeffrey Gros, FSC, New York Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2009. Pp. vii-259.

This volume of Paulist Press' Rediscovering Vatican II series addresses the decree Ad Gentes on the missionary action of the Church and the declaration Dignitatis Humanae on religious freedom. In their separate and distinct sections of this volume, both Bevans on his presentation of Ad Gentes and Gros on his presentation of Dignitatis Humanae follow the same format: Part I addresses the "Document" itself, which includes primarily a discussion of the historical background for the document and its preparation and the manner in which the document fits mainly within the context of the four constitutions of Vatican II (3-29; 151-175); Part II considers the "Major Points" of each article of the documents (30-55; 176-191); Part III studies the "Implementation" of the documents and reviews relevant papal and curial documents [End Page 689] that also address the topics of missionary action and religious freedom (56-86; 192-222); in Part IV, "The State of the Questions," Bevans and Gros offer their views on current issues that need to be considered with regard to missionary action and religious freedom (87-120; 223-234). Both sections conclude with ample endnotes to support the presentations (121-142; 235-248) and Part V provides suggestions for "Further Reading" on the issues (143-148; 249-251). Given that the decree Ad Gentes is more than twice as long as Dignitatis Humanae, it is not surprising that Bevans' presentation in this volume is more extensive than is Gros' presentation.

In Section I of this volume, Bevans highlights Ad Gentes 2 as presenting one of the most significant components of the decree and, arguably, of the Council: that "the pilgrim church is missionary by its very nature" and thus able to participate in the mission of Christ (32). His presentation of the decree's "Major Points" highlights the similarities between the decree and canons 781-792 on the Missionary Action of the Church. Bevans subsequently connects the decree's provisions with the relevant canons (83-85). Also of interest to canonists, Bevans traces the transition of the Roman congregation responsible for overseeing missionary action to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and its current competence (73-79). Likewise, he addresses the development of missionary territories to established dioceses (80-83). Of particular relevance today, Bevans considers the role of Ad Gentes in connection with the New Evangelization as developed during the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II and which Pope Benedict XVI has continued to maintain as a priority (90-97).

In Section II of this volume, Gros considers the declaration Dignitatis Humanae. His presentation of the declaration's "Major Points" begins with a helpful outline of each article of the document (176-177). He follows this outline with a specific discussion of each article (177-191). While the topic of religious freedom has been of concern for hundreds of years in the life of the Church (151-163), it has been of particular concern recently in the United States. Recognizing that religious liberty is based on the dignity of the human person (180), Gros highlights the obligation of society to allow persons to exercise their religious liberty (184-186) and the freedom that should be permitted to the Church to be concerned for the salvation of persons entrusted to the Church (188-190). In his consideration of the "Implementation" of Dignitatis Humanae, Gros reviews the situation in the [End Page 690] United States, and briefly reflects on legislation such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (200-201). He also reviews the impact of the pontificates of Blessed Pope John Paul II (210-213) and Pope Benedict XVI (213-214) on the issue of religious liberty.

This volume of the Rediscovering Vatican II series would be of interest to theologians, canonists and all persons who are engaged in implementing and protecting the important concepts of the missionary action of the Church...

pdf

Share