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224 Pope John XXIII and Vatican II 28 0John XXIII (1881–1963) is perhaps best remembered by the world at large as the pope who called Vatican II into session. This was a surprise if not a shock to many church leaders since it had been only ninety years since Vatican I (1869– 1870), which was not convened until three hundred years after the Council of Trent. Pope John XXIII however expressed the need for aggiornamento (literally , “up to date”) for the church. Aggiornamento then became a paramount theme of the Vatican Council, which enacted far-reaching changes in liturgy, ecumenism, and the church’s relation to the world. Selection 1: John XXIII, Pacem in terris (1963) The arms race and the cold war were in full swing at the time of this encyclical. Toward its end John XXIII does speak of the way this proliferation of deadly weapons has kept people and nations in the grip of fear and of his deep concern that this build up may yet continue. However, our excerpt presents the encyclical’s more prominent theme of human rights. Here we see clearly how John XXII grounds human right in natural law. 3. God created man “in His own image and likeness,” endowed him with intelligence and freedom, and made him lord of creation. All this the psalmist proclaims when he says: “Thou hast made him a little less than the angels: thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, and hast set him over the works of thy hands. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet.” Order in Human Beings 4. And yet there is a disunity among individuals and among nations which is in striking contrast to this perfect order in the universe. One would think that the relationships that bind men together could only be governed by force. 5. But the world’s Creator has stamped man’s inmost being with an order revealed to man by his conscience; and his conscience insists on his preserving it. Men “show the work of the law written in their hearts. Their conscience bears witness to them.” And Chapter 28: Selection 1 # 225 how could it be otherwise? All created being reflects the infinite wisdom of God. It reflects it all the more clearly, the higher it stands in the scale of perfection. 6. But the mischief is often caused by erroneous opinions. Many people think that the laws that govern man’s relations with the State are the same as those which regulate the blind, elemental forces of the universe. But it is not so; the laws which govern men are quite different. The Father of the universe has inscribed them in man’s nature, and that is where we must look for them; there and nowhere else. 7. These laws clearly indicate how a man must behave toward his fellows in society , and how the mutual relationships between the members of a State and its officials are to be conducted. They show too what principles must govern the relations between States; and finally, what should be the relations between individuals or States on the one hand, and the world-wide community of nations on the other. Men’s common interests make it imperative that at long last a worldwide community of nations Rights 11. But first We must speak of man’s rights. Man has the right to live. He has the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services. In consequence, he has the right to be looked after in the event of ill health; disability stemming from his work; widowhood; old age; enforced unemployment; or whenever through no fault of his own he is deprived of the means of livelihood. Rights Pertaining to Moral and Cultural Values 12. Moreover, man has a natural right to be respected. He has a right to his good name. He has a right to freedom in investigating the truth, and—within the limits of the moral order and the common good—to freedom of speech and publication, and to freedom to pursue whatever profession he may choose. He has the right, also, to be accurately informed about public events. 13. He has the natural right to share in the benefits of culture, and hence to receive a good general education, and a technical or professional training consistent with the degree of educational development in...

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