Ecumenismo Pio XII

Prezados amigos, salve Maria.

Coloco abaixo as orientaes de Pio XII no que diz respeito ao verdadeiro ecumenismo
catlico, n!o o conciliar.
"e algu#m se dispuser a traduzir este texto, nos $aria um grande $avor, %& que o meu
ingl's # $raquin(o, $raquin(o....
)m abrao a todos,
"andro de Pontes
I*"+,)C+I-*-* +.E EC)ME*IC/0 M-1EME*+
P,-C0/IME2 34+.E .-04 -55ICE-* 2ECEM3E, 67, 89:9
/n Instruction o$ t(e .ol; -$$ice addressed to t(e ordinaries o$ places, given 2ecember
67, 89:9.
+(e Cat(olic C(urc(, alt(oug( s(e does not ta<e part in congresses and ot(er
conventions called =ecumenical,= ;et (as never ceased, as is clear $rom man; Ponti$ical
documents, nor >ill s(e in $uture ever cease, to $ollo> >it( t(e most intense interest and
to promote b; earnest pra;ers to ?od, all e$$orts to>ard t(e attainment o$ >(at is so
dear to t(e .eart o$ C(rist -ur 0ord, namel;, t(at all >(o believe in .im =ma; be made
per$ect in one.=@8A
5or s(e embraces >it( trul; maternal a$$ection all >(o return to (er as t(e true C(urc(
o$ C(ristB and (ence, >ort(; o$ all. praise and encouragement are all t(ose plans and
pro%ects >(ic(, >it( t(e consent o$ Ecclesiastical /ut(orit;, (ave been underta<en and
are being carried $or>ard, eit(er $or t(e proper Cat(olic instruction o$ $uture converts or
$or t(e more t(oroug( training o$ persons alread; converted to t(e $ait(.
*o> in man; parts o$ t(e >orld, as a result o$ various external events and c(anges o$
vie>s on t(e part o$ people, but especiall; in consequence o$ t(e common pra;ers o$Ct(e
$ait($ul t(roug( t(e grace o$ t(e .ol; "pirit, t(ere (as gro>n constantl; in t(e minds o$
man; persons separated $rom t(e Cat(olic C(urc( t(e desire $or a return to unit; on t(e
part o$ all >(o believe in t(e 0ord C(rist. +o t(e c(ildren o$ t(e C(urc( t(is is surel; a
cause o$ true and (ol; %o; in t(e 0ord, and at t(e same time an invitation to (elp all
t(ose >(o sincerel; see< t(e trut(, b; earnest pra;er to ?od imploring $or t(em t(e
grace o$ lig(t and strengt(.
.o>ever, some o$ t(e initiatives t(at (ave (it(erto been ta<en b; various individuals or
groups, >it( t(e aim o$ reconciling dissident C(ristians to t(e Cat(olic C(urc(,
alt(oug( inspired b; t(e best o$ intentions, are not al>a;s based on rig(t principles, or i$
t(e; are, ;et t(e; are not $ree $rom special dangers, as experience too (as alread;
s(o>n. .ence t(is "upreme "acred Congregation, >(ic( (as t(e responsibilit; o$
conserving in its entiret; and protecting t(e deposit o$ t(e $ait(, (as seen $it to recall to
mind and to prescribe t(e $ollo>ingD I. "ince t(e aboveCmentioned =union= is a matter
>(ic( pertains primaril; to t(e aut(orit; and o$$ice o$ t(e C(urc(, it s(ould be attended
to >it( special care b; t(e 3is(ops, >(om =t(e .ol; ?(ost (at( placed to rule t(e
C(urc( o$ ?od.=@6A +(e; s(ould, t(ere$ore, not onl; diligentl; and e$$ectivel; >atc(
over t(is entire activit;, but also prudentl; promote and direct it, $or t(e purpose o$ bot(
(elping t(ose >(o see< t(e trut( and t(e true C(urc(, and protecting t(e $ait($ul against
t(e dangers >(ic( ma; easil; $lo> $rom t(e activit; o$ t(is =Movement.=
.ence t(e; must in t(e $irst place be $ull; a>are o$ ever;t(ing t(at (as been and is
being done t(roug( t(is =Movement= in t(eir dioceses. 5or t(is purpose t(e; s(all
designate >ellCquali$ied priests >(o, according to t(e doctrine and norms prescribed b;
t(e .ol; "ee, $or example b; t(e Enc;clicals ="atis cognitum,=@EA =Mortalium
animos,=@:A and =M;stici Corporis C(risti,=@FA s(all pa; close attention to ever;t(ing
>(ic( concerns t(e =Movement= and report t(ereon to t(e 3is(ops in t(e manner and at
t(e time >(ic( t(e; s(all prescribe.
+(e; s(all >atc( >it( special care over publications >(ic( ma; be issued in an; $orm
b; Cat(olics on t(is matter, and s(all see t(at t(e canons =on t(e previous censure and
pro(ibition o$ boo<s= Gcanons 8EH: seq.I are observed. /nd t(e; s(all not $ail to do t(e
same >it( regard to publications o$ nonCCat(olics on t(e same sub%ect, in as $ar as t(ese
are publis(ed, or read, or sold b; Cat(olics.
+(e; s(all also diligentl; provide >(atever ma; be o$ service to nonCCat(olics >(o
desire to <no> t(e Cat(olic $ait(B t(e; s(all designate persons and -$$ices to >(ic(
t(ese nonCCat(olics ma; go $or consultationB and a $ortiori t(e; s(all see to it t(at t(ose
>(o are alread; converted to t(e $ait( s(all easil; $ind means o$ more exact and deeper
instruction in t(e Cat(olic $ait(, and o$ leading a more positivel; religious li$e,
especiall; t(roug( appropriate meetings and group assemblies, t(roug( "piritual
Exercises and ot(er >or<s o$ piet;.
II. /s regards t(e manner and met(od o$ proceeding in t(is >or<, t(e 3is(ops
t(emselves >ill ma<e regulations as to >(at is to be done and >(at is to be avoided, and
s(all see t(at t(ese are observed b; all. +(e; s(all also be on guard lest, on t(e $alse
pretext t(at more attention s(ould be paid to t(e points on >(ic( >e agree t(an to t(ose
on >(ic( >e di$$er, a dangerous indi$$erentism be encouraged, especiall; among
persons >(ose training in t(eolog; is not deep and >(ose practice o$ t(eir $ait( is not
ver; strong. 5or care must be ta<en lest, in t(e soCcalled =irenic= spirit o$ toCda;,
t(roug( comparative stud; and t(e vain desire $or a progressivel; closer mutual
approac( among t(e various pro$essions o$ $ait(, Cat(olic doctrineCeit(er in itsB dogmas
or in t(e trut(s >(ic( are connected >it( t(emCbe so con$ormed or in a >a; adapted to
t(e doctrines o$ dissident sects, t(at t(e purit; o$ Cat(olic doctrine be impaired, or its
genuine and certain meaning be obscured.
/lso t(e; must restrain t(at dangerous manner o$ spea<ing >(ic( generates $alse
opinions and $allacious (opes incapable o$ realizationB $or example, to t(e e$$ect t(at t(e
teac(ings o$ t(e Enc;clicals o$ t(e ,oman Ponti$$s on t(e return o$ dissidents to t(e
C(urc(, on t(e constitution o$ t(e C(urc(, on t(e M;stical 3od; o$ C(rist, s(ould not
be given too muc( importance seeing t(at t(e; are not all matters o$ $ait(, or, >(at is
>orse, t(at in matters o$ dogma even t(e Cat(olic C(urc( (as not ;et attained t(e
$ullness o$ C(rist, but can still be per$ected $rom outside. +(e; s(all ta<e particular care
and s(all $irml; insist t(at, in going over t(e (istor; o$ t(e ,e$ormation and t(e
,e$ormers t(e de$ects o$ Cat(olics be not so exaggerated and t(e $aults o$ t(e
,e$ormers be so dissimulated, or t(at t(ings >(ic( are rat(er accidental be not so
emp(asized, t(at >(at is most essential, namel; t(e de$ection $rom t(e Cat(olic $ait(, be
scarcel; an; longer seen or $elt. 5inall;, t(e; s(all ta<e precautions lest, t(roug( an
excessive and $alse external activit;, or t(roug( imprudence and an excited manner o$
proceeding, t(e end in vie> be rat(er (armed t(an served.
+(ere$ore t(e >(ole and entire Cat(olic doctrine is to be presented and explainedD b; no
means is it permitted to pass over in silence or to veil in ambiguous terms t(e Cat(olic
trut( regarding t(e nature and >a; o$ %usti$ication, t(e constitution o$ t(e C(urc(, t(e
primac; o$ %urisdiction o$ t(e ,oman Ponti$$, and t(e onl; true union b; t(e return o$
t(e dissidents to t(e one true C(urc( o$ C(rist. It s(ould be made clear to t(em t(at, in
returning to t(e C(urc(, t(e; >ill lose not(ing o$ t(at good >(ic( b; t(e grace o$ ?od
(as (it(erto been implanted in t(em, but t(at it >ill rat(er be supplemented and
completed b; t(eir return. .o>ever, one s(ould not spea< o$ t(is in suc( a >a; t(at
t(e; >ill imagine t(at in returning to t(e C(urc( t(e; are bringing to it somet(ing
substantial >(ic( it (as (it(erto lac<ed. It >ill be necessar; to sa; t(ese t(ings clearl;
and openl;, $irst because it is t(e trut( t(at t(e; t(emselves are see<ing, and moreover
because outside t(e trut( no true union can ever be attained.
III. Jit( regard especiall; to mixed assemblies and con$erences o$ Cat(olics >it( nonC
Cat(olics, >(ic( in recent times (ave begun to be (eld in man; places to promote
=union= in t(e $ait(, t(ere is need o$ quite peculiar vigilance and control on t(e part o$
-rdinaries. 5or i$ on t(e one (and t(ese meetings a$$ord t(e desired opportunit; to
spread among nonCCat(olics t(e <no>ledge o$ Cat(olic doctrine, >(ic( is generall; not
su$$icientl; <no>n to t(em, ;et on t(e ot(er (and t(e; easil; involve no slig(t danger o$
indi$$erentism $or Cat(olics. In cases >(ere t(ere seems to be some (ope o$ good
results, t(e -rdinar; s(all see t(at t(e t(ing is properl; managed, designating $or t(ese
meetings priests >(o are as >ell quali$ied as possible to explain and de$end Cat(olic
doctrine properl; and appropriatel;. +(e $ait($ul, (o>ever, s(ould not attend t(ese
meetings unless t(e; (ave obtained special permission $rom Ecclesiastical /ut(orit;,
and t(is s(all be given onl; to t(ose >(o are <no>n to be >ell instructed and strong in
t(eir $ait(. J(ere t(ere is no apparent (ope o$ good results, or >(ere t(e a$$air involves
special dangers on ot(er grounds, t(e $ait($ul are to be prudentl; <ept a>a; $rom t(e
meetings, and t(e meetings t(emselves are soon to be ended or graduall; suppressed. /s
experience teac(es t(at larger meetings o$ t(is sort usuall; bear little $ruit and involve
greater danger, t(ese s(ould be permitted onl; a$ter ver; care$ul consideration.
+o colloquies bet>een Cat(olic and nonCCat(olic t(eologians, none s(ould be sent but
priests >(o (ave s(o>n t(emselves trul; $it $or suc( >or< b; t(eir <no>ledge o$
t(eolog; and t(eir $irm ad(erence to t(e principles and norms >(ic( t(e C(urc( (as laid
do>n in t(is matter.
I1. /ll t(e a$oresaid con$erences and meetings, public and nonCpublic, large and small,
>(ic( are called $or t(e purpose o$ a$$ording an opportunit; $or t(e Cat(olic and t(e
nonCCat(olic part; $or t(e sa<e o$ discussion to treat o$ matters o$ $ait( and morals, eac(
presenting on even terms t(e doctrine o$ (is o>n $ait(, are sub%ect to t(e prescriptions o$
t(e C(urc( >(ic( >ere recalled to mind in t(e =Monitum, Cum compertum,= o$ t(is
Congregation under date o$ F Kune, 89:H.@LA .ence mixed congresses are not absolutel;
$orbiddenB but t(e; are not to be (eld >it(out t(e previous permission o$ t(e competent
Ecclesiastical /ut(orit;. +(e Monitum, (o>ever, does not appl; to catec(etical
instructions, even >(en given to man; toget(er, nor to con$erences in >(ic( Cat(olic
doctrine is explained to nonCCat(olics >(o are prospective convertsD even t(oug( t(e
opportunit; is a$$orded $or t(e nonCCat(olics to explain also t(e doctrine o$ t(eir c(urc(
so t(at t(e; ma; understand clearl; and t(oroug(l; in >(at respect it agrees >it( t(e
Cat(olic doctrine and in >(at it di$$ers t(ere$rom.
*eit(er does t(e said Monitum appl; to t(ose mixed meetings o$ Cat(olics and nonC
Cat(olics in >(ic( t(e discussion does not turn upon $ait( and morals but upon >a;s
and means o$ de$ending t(e $undamental principles o$ t(e natural la> or o$ t(e C(ristian
religion against t(e enemies o$ ?od >(o are no> leagued toget(er, or >(ere t(e
question is (o> to restore social order, or ot(er topics o$ t(at nature. Even in t(ese
meetings, as is evident, Cat(olics ma; not approve or concede an;t(ing >(ic( is in
con$lict >it( divine revelation or >it( t(e doctrine o$ t(e C(urc( even on social
questions.
/s to local con$erences and conventions >(ic( are >it(in t(e scope o$ t(e Monitum as
above explained, t(e -rdinaries o$ places are given, $or t(ree ;ears $rom t(e publication
o$ t(is Instruction,@MA t(e $acult; o$ granting t(e required previous permission o$ t(e
.ol; "ee, on t(e $ollo>ing conditionsD
8. +(at communicatio in sacris be entirel; avoidedB
6. t(at t(e presentations o$ t(e matter be dul; inspected and directedB
E. t(at at t(e close o$ eac( ;ear a report be made to t(is "upreme "acred Congregation,
stating >(ere suc( meetings >ere (eld and >(at experience >as gat(ered $rom t(em.
/s regards t(e colloquies o$ t(eologians above mentioned, t(e same $acult; $or t(e same
lengt( o$ time is granted to t(e -rdinar; o$ t(e place >(ere suc( colloquies are (eld, or
to t(e -rdinar; delegated $or t(is >or< b; t(e common consent o$ t(e ot(er -rdinaries,
under t(e same conditions as above, but >it( t(e $urt(er requirement t(at t(e report to
t(is "acred Congregation state also >(at questions >ere treated, >(o >ere present, and
>(o t(e spea<ers >ere $or eit(er side.
/s $or t(e interdiocesan con$erences and congresses, eit(er national or international, t(e
previous permission o$ t(e .ol; "ee, special $or eac( case, is al>a;s requiredB and in
t(e petition as<ing $or it, it must also be stated >(at are t(e questions to be treated and
>(o t(e spea<ers are to be. /nd it is not allo>ed be$ore t(is permission (as been
obtained, to begin t(e external preparation o$ suc( meetings or to collaborate >it( nonC
Cat(olics >(o begin suc( preparation.
1. /lt(oug( in all t(ese meetings and con$erences an; communication >(atsoever in
>ors(ip must be avoided, ;et t(e recitation in common o$ t(e 0ordNs Pra;er or o$ some
pra;er approved b; t(e Cat(olic C(urc(, is not $orbidden $or opening or closing t(e said
meetings.
1I. /lt(oug( eac( -rdinar; (as t(e rig(t and dut; to conduct, promote, and preside
over t(is >or< inN (is o>n diocese, ;et t(e cooperation o$ several 3is(ops >ill be
appropriate or even necessar; in establis(ing o$$ices and >or<s to observe, stud;, and
control t(is >or< as a >(ole. /ccordingl; it >ill rest >it( t(e -rdinaries t(emselves to
con$er toget(er and consider (o> a proper uni$ormit; o$ action and coordination can be
obtained.
1II. ,eligious "uperiors are bound to >atc( and to see to it t(at t(eir sub%ects ad(ere
strictl; and $ait($ull; to t(e prescriptions laid do>n b; t(e .ol; "ee or b; t(e local
-rdinaries in t(is matter.
In order t(at so noble a >or< as t(e =union= o$ all C(ristians in one true $ait( and
C(urc( ma; dail; gro> into a more conspicuous part o$ t(e entire care o$ souls, and t(at
t(e >(ole Cat(olic people ma; more earnestl; implore t(is =union= $rom /lmig(t;
?od, it >ill certainl; be o$ assistance t(at in some appropriate >a;, $or example t(roug(
Pastoral 0etters, t(e $ait($ul be instructed regarding t(ese questions and pro%ects, t(e
prescriptions o$ t(e C(urc( in t(e matter, and t(e reasons on >(ic( t(e; are based. /ll,
especiall; priests and religious, s(ould be ex(orted and >arml; encouraged to be
zealous b; t(eir pra;ers and sacri$ices to ripen and promote t(is >or<, and all s(ould be
reminded t(at not(ing more e$$ectivel; paves t(e >a; $or t(e erring to $ind t(e trut( and
to embrace t(e C(urc( t(an t(e $ait( o$ Cat(olics, >(en it is con$irmed b; t(e example
o$ uprig(t living.
?iven at ,ome, $rom t(e .ol; -$$ice, 67 2ec., 89:9.
//" :6C8:6B .ol; -$$ice, Instruction, 67 2ec., 89:9. Periodica, E9C67: G.urt(IB
Monitor Ecclesiasticus, 89F7, p. 68 G3o;erIB +(e Kurist, 87 G89F7I, p. 67L.
E*2*-+E"
@8A
8 Ko(n 8MD6E.
@6A
/cts 67D6H.
@EA
/cta 0eonis XIII, 1ol. 8L G8H9MI, p. 8FM.
@:A
//", 1ol. 67 G896HI, p. F.
@FA
Ibid., 1ol. EF G89:EI, p. 89E.
@LA
//" :7C6FMB reported above in t(is same volume, under canon 8E6F.
@MA
+(e date o$ publication is E8 Kanuar;, 89F7.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
On Dec. 6,1953, His Holiness addressed a discourse to the National Convention of
Italian Catholic Jurists. Our Holy ather s!o"e in Italian on the !ro#le$s of reli%ious
li#erty in the %ro&in% co$$unity of nations. 'he follo&in% is the (atican )ress Office
translation of his re$ar"s.
It gives )s great satis$action, beloved sons o$ t(e )nion o$ Italian Cat(olic Kurists, to
see ;ou gat(ered round )s (ere and to bid ;ou (eart$elt >elcome.
In t(e beginning o$ -ctober anot(er congress o$ %urists, dealing >it( international penal
la>, gat(ered in -ur summer residence. 4our convention is rat(er national in c(aracter,
but t(e sub%ect it is treating, =+(e *ation and t(e International Communit;,= touc(es
again t(e relations bet>een peoples and sovereign states. I$ is not b; c(ance t(at
congresses are multipl;ing $or t(e stud; o$ international questions, be t(e; scienti$ic,
economic or political. +(e clear $act t(at relations bet>een individuals o$ various
nations and bet>een nations t(emselves are gro>ing in multiplicit; and intensit; ma<es
dail; more urgent a rig(t ordering o$ international relations, bot( private and publicB all
t(e more so since t(is mutual dra>ing toget(er is caused not onl; b; vastl; improved
tec(nological progress and b; $ree c(oice but also b; t(e more pro$ound action o$ an
intrinsic la> o$ development. +(is movement, t(en, is not to be repressed but $ostered
and promoted.
I
In t(is >or< o$ expansion, communities o$ states and peoples, >(et(er alread; existing
or onl; a goal to be ac(ieved, (ave naturall; a special importance. +(e; are
communities in >(ic( sovereign states, t(at is to sa;, states >(ic( are subordinate to no
ot(er state, are united into a %uridical communit; to attain de$inite %uridical ends. It
>ould give a $alse idea o$ t(ese %uridical communities to compare t(em to >orld
empires o$ t(e past or o$ t(e present, in >(ic( di$$erent racial stoc<s, peoples and states
become $used, >(et(er t(e; >ant it or not, into a single conglomeration o$ states. In t(e
present instance, (o>ever, states, remaining sovereign, $reel; unite into a %uridical
communit;.
In t(is connection, t(e (istor; o$ t(e >orld, >(ic( s(o>s a continuous succession o$
struggles $or po>er, no doubt mig(t ma<e t(e establis(ment o$ a %uridical communit; o$
$ree states seem almost utopian. +(e con$licts o$ t(e past (ave too o$ten been motivated
b; a desire to sub%ugate ot(er nations and to extend t(e range o$ oneNs o>n po>er, or b;
t(e necessit; o$ de$ending oneNs libert; and oneNs o>n independent existence. +(is time,
on t(e contrar;, it is precisel; t(e >ill to prevent t(reatening con$licts t(at urges men
to>ard a supranational %uridical communit;. )tilitarian considerations, >(ic( certainl;
carr; considerable >eig(t, point to>ard t(e >or<ing out o$ peaceB and $inall;, per(aps,
it is precisel; t(is mingling o$ men o$ di$$erent nations because o$ tec(nological
progress t(at (as a>a<ened t(e $ait(, implanted in t(e (earts and souls o$ individuals, in
a (ig(er communit; o$ men, >illed b; t(e Creator and rooted in t(e unit; o$ t(eir
common origin, nature and $inal destin;.
II
+(ese and ot(er similar considerations s(o> t(at advance to>ard establis(ing a
communit; o$ peoples does not loo<, as to a unique and ultimate norm, to t(e >ill o$ t(e
"tates but rat(er to nature, to t(e Creator. +(e rig(t to existence, t(e rig(t to respect
$rom ot(ers and to oneNs good name, t(e rig(t to oneNs o>n culture and national
c(aracter, t(e rig(t to develop onesel$, t(e rig(t to demand observance o$ international
treaties, and ot(er li<e rig(ts, are exigencies o$ t(e la> o$ nations, dictated b; nature
itsel$. +(e positive la> o$ di$$erent peoples, also indispensable n t(e communit; o$
states, (as t(e o$$ice o$ de$ining more exactl; t(e rig(ts derived $rom nature and o$
adapting t(em to concrete circumstances, also o$ ma<ing ot(er provisions, directed, o$
course, to>ard t(e common good, on t(e basis o$ a positive agreement, >(ic(, once
$reel; entered into, (as binding $orce.
In t(is communit; o$ nations, t(en, ever; state becomes a part o$ t(e s;stem o$
international la>, and (ence o$ natural la>, >(ic( is bot( $oundation and cro>n o$ t(e
>(ole. +(us t(e individual nation no longer isPnor in $act >as it everP=sovereign,= in
t(e sense o$ being entirel; >it(out restrictions. ="overeignt;= in t(e true sense means
sel$Crule and exclusive competence concerning >(at (as to be done and (o> it is to be
done in regard to t(e a$$airs o$ a de$inite territor;, al>a;s >it(in t(e $rame>or< o$
international la>, >it(out (o>ever becoming dependent on t(e %uridical s;stem o$ an;
ot(er state. Ever; state is immediatel; sub%ect to international la>. "tates >(ic( >ould
lac< t(is $ullness o$ po>er, or >(ose independence o$ t(e po>er o$ an; ot(er state
>ould not be guaranteed b; international la>, >ould not be sovereign. 3ut no state
could complain about a limitation o$ its sovereignt; i$ it >ere denied t(e po>er o$
acting arbitraril; and >it(out regard $or ot(er states. "overeignt; is not a divinization o$
t(e state, or omnipotence o$ t(e state in t(e .egelian sense, or a$ter t(e manner o$
absolute %uridical positivism.
III
+(ere is no need to explain to ;ou students o$ la> (o> t(e setting up, maintenance and
operation o$ a real communit; o$ states, especiall; one t(at >ould embrace all peoples,
give rise to man; duties and problems, some o$ t(em extremel; di$$icult and
complicated, >(ic( cannot be solved b; a simple ;es or no ans>er. "uc( >ould be t(e
question o$ race and origin, >it( t(eir biological, ps;c(ological and social
consequencesB t(e question o$ languageB t(e question o$ $amil; li$e, >it( its relations,
var;ing according to nation, bet>een (usband and >i$e, parents, t(e larger $amil;
groupB t(e question o$ t(e equalit; or equivalence o$ rig(ts in >(at regards goods,
contracts and persons $or t(e citizens o$ one sovereign state >(o eit(er live $or a s(ort
time in a $oreign state or, retaining t(eir o>n nationalit;, establis( permanent residence
t(ereB t(e question o$ t(e rig(t o$ immigration or o$ emigration, and ot(er li<e questions.
+(e %urist, t(e statesman, t(e individual state, as >ell as t(e communit; o$ states s(ould
(ere ta<e account o$ all t(e inborn inclinations o$ individuals and communities in t(eir
contracts and reciprocal relationsB suc( as t(e tendenc; to adapt or to assimilate, o$ten
pus(ed even to an attempt to absorbB or contrari>ise, t(e tendenc; to exclude and to
destro; an;t(ing t(at appears incapable o$ assimilationB t(e tendenc; to expand, to
embrace >(at is ne>, as on t(e contrar;, t(e tendenc; to retreat and to segregate
onesel$B t(e tendenc; to give onesel$ entirel;, $orget$ul o$ sel$, and its opposite,
attac(ment to onesel$, excluding an; service o$ ot(ersB t(e lust $or po>er, t(e ;earning
to <eep ot(ers in sub%ection, and so on.
/ll t(ese instincts, eit(er o$ sel$Caggrandizement or o$ sel$Cde$ense, (ave t(eir roots in
t(e natural dispositions o$ individuals, o$ peoples, o$ races, and o$ communities, and in
t(eir restrictions and limitations. -ne never $inds in t(em ever;t(ing t(at is good and
%ust. ?od alone, t(e origin o$ all t(ings, possesses >it(in .imsel$, b; reason o$ .is
in$init;, all t(at is good.
5rom >(at Je (ave said, it is eas; to deduce t(e $undamental t(eoretical principle $or
dealing >it( t(ese di$$iculties and tendenciesD >it(in t(e limits o$ t(e possible and
la>$ul, to promote ever;t(ing t(at $acilitates union and ma<es it more e$$ectiveB to
remove ever;t(ing t(at disturbs itB to tolerate at times t(at >(ic( it is impossible to
correct but >(ic(, on t(e ot(er (and, must not be permitted to ma<e s(ip>rec< o$ t(e
communit;, $rom >(ic( a (ig(er good is (oped $or. +(e di$$icult; rests in t(e
application o$ t(is principle.
IV
In t(is connection, Je >is( to treat >it( ;ou >(o are (app; to pro$ess ;ourselves
Cat(olic %urists, concerning one o$ t(e questions >(ic( arises in a communit; o$
peoples, t(at is, t(e practical coCexistence GQconvivenzaRI o$ Cat(olic >it( nonC
Cat(olic states.
2epending upon t(e religious belie$ o$ t(e great ma%orit; o$ citizens, or b; reason o$ an
explicit declaration o$ la>, peoples and member states o$ t(e international communit;
>ill be divided into t(ose t(at are C(ristian, nonCC(ristian, indi$$erent to religion or
consciousl; >it(out it, or even pro$essedl; at(eist. +(e interests o$ religion and
moralit; >ill require $or t(e >(ole extent o$ t(e international communit; a >ellCde$ined
rule, >(ic( >ill (old $or all t(e territor; o$ t(e individual sovereign memberCstates o$
t(e international communit;. /ccording to probabilit; and depending on circumstances,
it can be $oreseen t(at t(is ruling o$ positive la> >ill be t(us enunciatedD >it(in its o>n
territor; and $or its o>n citizens, eac( state >ill regulate religious and moral a$$airs b;
its o>n la>s. *evert(eless, t(roug(out t(e >(ole territor; o$ t(e international
communit; o$ states, t(e citizens o$ ever; memberCstate >ill be allo>ed t(e exercise o$
t(eir o>n belie$s and et(ical and religious practices, inso$ar as t(ese do not contravene
t(e penal la>s o$ t(e state in >(ic( t(e; are residing.
5or t(e %urist, t(e statesman and t(e Cat(olic state arises (ere t(e questionD can t(e; give
t(eir consent to suc( a ruling >(en t(ere is question o$ entering and remaining in an
international communit;S
*o>, in regard to religious and moral interests, a t>o$old question arisesD t(e $irst deals
>it( t(e ob%ective trut( and t(e obligation o$ conscience to>ard >(at is ob%ectivel; true
and goodB t(e second deals >it( t(e practical attitude o$ t(e international communit;
to>ard t(e individual sovereign state and t(e attitude o$ t(e individual state to>ard t(e
international communit; in >(at regards religion and moralit;.
+(e $irst question can (ardl; be a matter $or discussion and legal ruling bet>een t(e
individual states and t(e international communit;, especiall; in t(e case o$ a pluralit; o$
di$$erent religious belie$s >it(in t(e international communit;. -n t(e ot(er (and, t(e
second question can be o$ extreme importance and urgenc;.
V
*o> to give t(e rig(t ans>er to t(e second question. /bove all, it must be clearl; stated
t(at no (uman aut(orit;, no state, no communit; o$ states, >(atever be t(eir religious
c(aracter, can give a positive command or positive aut(orization to teac( or to do t(at
>(ic( >ould be contrar; to religious trut( or moral good. "uc( a command or suc( an
aut(orization >ould (ave no obligator; po>er and >ould remain >it(out e$$ect. *o
aut(orit; ma; give suc( a command, because it is contrar; to nature to oblige t(e spirit
and t(e >ill o$ man to error and evil, or to consider one or t(e ot(er as indi$$erent. *ot
even ?od could give suc( a positive command or positive aut(orization, because it
>ould be in contradiction to .is absolute trut( and sanctit;.
/not(er question, essentiall; di$$erent, is t(isD could t(e norm be establis(ed in a
communit; o$ statesPat least in certain circumstancesPt(at t(e $ree exercise o$ a belie$
and o$ a religious or moral practice >(ic( possess validit; in one o$ t(e member states,
be not (indered t(roug(out t(e entire territor; o$ t(e communit; o$ nations b; state la>s
or coercive measuresS In ot(er >ords, t(e question is raised >(et(er in t(ese
circumstances =non impedire= or toleration is permissible, and >(et(er, consequentl;,
positive repression is not al>a;s a dut;.
Je (ave %ust adduced t(e aut(orit; o$ ?od. Could ?od, alt(oug( it >ould be possible
and eas; $or .im to repress error and moral deviation, in some cases c(oose t(e =non
impedire= >it(out
contradicting .is in$inite per$ectionS Could it be t(at Qin certain circumstancesR .e
>ould not give men an; mandate, >ould not impose an; dut;, and >ould not even
communicate t(e rig(t to impede or to repress >(at is erroneous and $alseS / loo< at
t(ings as t(e; are gives an a$$irmative ans>er. ,ealit; s(o>s t(at error and sin are in
t(e >orld in great measure. ?od reprobates t(em, but .e permits t(em to exist. .ence
t(e a$$irmationD religious and moral error must al>a;s be impeded, >(en it is possible,
because toleration o$ t(em is in itsel$ immoral, is not valid Qabsolutel; and
unconditionall;.R
Moreover, ?od (as not given even to (uman aut(orit; suc( an absolute and universal
command in matters o$ $ait( and moralit;. "uc( a command is un<no>n to t(e common
convictions o$ man<ind, to C(ristian conscience, to t(e sources o$ ,evelation and to t(e
practice o$ t(e C(urc(. +o omit (ere ot(er "criptural texts >(ic( are adduced in support
o$ t(is argument, C(rist in t(e parable o$ t(e coc<le gives t(e $ollo>ing adviceD let t(e
coc<le gro> in t(e $ield o$ t(e >orld toget(er >it( t(e good seed in vie> o$ t(e (arvest
Gc$. QMatt.R 8ED6:CE7I. +(e dut; o$ repressing moral and religious error cannot
t(ere$ore be an ultimate norm o$ action. It must be subordinate to Q(ig(er and more
generalR norms, >(ic( Qin some circumstancesR permit, and even per(aps seem to
indicate as t(e better polic;, toleration o$ error in order to promote a Qgreater good.R
+(us t(e t>o principles are clari$ied to >(ic( recourse must be (ad in concrete cases $or
t(e ans>er to t(e serious question concerning t(e attitude >(ic( t(e %urist, t(e statesman
and t(e sovereign Cat(olic state is to adopt in consideration o$ t(e communit; o$
nations in regard to a $ormula o$ religious and moral toleration as described above.
5irstD t(at >(ic( does not correspond to trut( or to t(e norm o$ moralit; ob%ectivel; (as
no rig(t to exist, to be spread or to be activated. "econdl;D $ailure to impede t(is >it(
civil la>s and coercive measures can nevert(eless be %usti$ied in t(e interests o$ a (ig(er
and more general good.
3e$ore all else t(e Cat(olic statesman must %udge i$ t(is condition is veri$ied in t(e
concretePt(is is t(e =question o$ $act.= In (is decision (e >ill permit (imsel$ to be
guided b; >eig(ing t(e dangerous consequences t(at stem $rom toleration against t(ose
$rom >(ic( t(e communit; o$ nations >ill be spared, i$ t(e $ormula o$ toleration be
accepted. Moreover, (e >ill be guided b; t(e good >(ic(, according to a >ise
prognosis, can be derived $rom toleration $or t(e international communit; as suc(, and
indirectl; $or t(e member state. In t(at >(ic( concerns religion and moralit; (e >ill
also as< $or t(e %udgment o$ t(e C(urc(. 5or (er, onl; .e to >(om C(rist (as entrusted
t(e guidance o$ .is >(ole C(urc( is competent to spea< in t(e last instance on suc(
vital questions, touc(ing international li$eB t(at is, t(e ,oman Ponti$$.
VI
+(e institution o$ a communit; o$ nations, >(ic( toda; (as been partl; realized but
>(ic( is striving to be establis(ed and consolidated upon a (ig(er and more per$ect
level, is an ascent $rom t(e lo>er to t(e (ig(er, t(at is, $rom a pluralit; o$ sovereign
states to t(e greatest possible unit;.
+(e C(urc( o$ C(rist (as, in virtue o$ a mandate $rom (er 2ivine 5ounder, a similar
universal mission. "(e must dra> to (ersel$ and bind toget(er in religious unit; t(e men
o$ all races and o$ all times. 3ut (ere t(e process is in a certain sense t(e contrar;D s(e
descends $rom t(e (ig(er to t(e lo>er. In t(e $ormer case, t(e superior %uridical unit; o$
nations >as and still is to be created. In t(e latter, t(e %uridical communit; >it( its
universal end, its constitution, its po>ers and t(ose in >(om t(ese po>ers are invested
are alread; establis(ed $rom t(e beginning, b; t(e >ill and decree o$ C(rist .imsel$.
+(e dut; o$ t(is universal communit; $rom t(e outset is to incorporate all men and all
races Gc$. Matt. 6HD89I and t(ereb; to bring t(em to t(e $ull trut( and t(e grace o$ Kesus
C(rist.
+(e C(urc(, in t(e $ul$illment o$ t(is (er mission, (as al>a;s been $aced and is still
$aced in large measure b; t(e same problems >(ic( t(e $unctioning o$ a communit; o$
sovereign states must overcomeB onl; s(e $eels t(em more acutel;, $or s(e is obligated
to t(e purpose o$ (er mission, determined b; (er 5ounder .imsel$, a purpose >(ic(
penetrates to t(e ver; dept(s o$ t(e spirit and (eart o$ man. In t(is state o$ a$$airs
con$licts are inevitable, and (istor; s(o>s t(at t(ere (ave al>a;s been con$licts, t(ere
still are, and, according to t(e >ords o$ t(e 0ord, t(ere >ill be till t(e end o$ time.
5or t(e C(urc( >it( (er mission (as been, and is con$ronted >it( men and nations o$
marvelous culture, >it( ot(ers o$ almost incredible lac< o$ civilization, and >it( all
possible intermediate degreesD diversit; o$ extraction, o$ language, o$ p(ilosop(;, o$
religious belie$, o$ national aspirations and c(aracteristicsB $ree peoples and enslaved
peoplesB peoples t(at (ave never belonged to t(e C(urc( and peoples t(at (ave been
separated $rom (er communion.
+(e C(urc( must live among t(em and >it( t(emB s(e can never declare be$ore an;one
t(at s(e is =not interested.= +(e mandate imposed upon (er b; (er divine 5ounder
renders it impossible $or (er to $ollo> a polic; o$ nonCinter$erence or QlaissezC$aire.R
"(e (as t(e dut; o$ teac(ing and educating in all t(e in$lexibilit; o$ trut( and goodness,
and >it( t(is absolute obligation s(e must remain and >or< among men and nations t(at
in mental outloo< are completel; di$$erent $rom eac( ot(er.
0et )s return no>, (o>ever, to t(e t>o propositions mentioned aboveD and in t(e $irst
place to t(e one >(ic( denies unconditionall; ever;t(ing t(at is religiousl; $alse and
morall; >rong. Jit( regard to t(is point t(ere never (as been, and t(ere is not no>, in
t(e C(urc( an; vacillation or an; compromise, eit(er in t(eor; or in practice.
.er deportment (as not c(anged in t(e course o$ (istor;, nor can it c(ange >(enever or
>(erever, under t(e most diversi$ied $orms, s(e is con$ronted >it( t(e c(oiceD eit(er
incense $or idols or blood $or C(rist. +(e place >(ere ;ou are no> present, Eternal
,ome, >it( t(e remains o$ a greatness t(at >as and >it( t(e glorious memories o$ its
mart;rs, is t(e most eloquent >itness to t(e ans>er o$ t(e C(urc(. Incense >as not
burned be$ore t(e idols, and C(ristian blood $lo>ed and consecrated t(e ground. 3ut t(e
temples o$ t(e gods lie in t(e cold devastation o$ ruins (o>soever ma%esticB >(ile at t(e
tombs o$ t(e mart;rs t(e $ait($ul o$ all nations and all tongues $erventl; repeat t(e
ancient Creed o$ t(e /postles.
Concerning t(e second proposition, t(at is to sa;, concerning tolerance in determined
circumstances, toleration even in cases in >(ic( one could proceed to repression, t(e
C(urc(Pout o$ regard $or t(ose >(o in good conscience Gt(oug( erroneous, but
invincibl; soI are o$ di$$erent opinionP(as been led to act and (as acted >it( t(at
tolerance, a$ter s(e became t(e "tate C(urc( under Constantine t(e ?reat and t(e ot(er
C(ristian emperors, al>a;s $or (ig(er and more cogent motives. "o s(e acts toda;, and
also in t(e $uture s(e >ill be $aced >it( t(e same necessit;. In suc( individual cases t(e
attitude o$ t(e C(urc( is determined b; >(at is demanded $or sa$eguarding and
considering t(e Qbonum commune,R on t(e one (and, t(e common good o$ t(e C(urc(
and t(e "tate in individual states, and, on t(e ot(er, t(e common good o$ t(e universal
C(urc(, t(e reign o$ ?od over t(e >(ole >orld. In considering t(e =pro= and =con= $or
resolving t(e =question o$ $acts,= as >ell as >(at concerns t(e $inal and supreme %udge
in t(ese matters, no ot(er norms are valid $or t(e C(urc( except t(e norms >(ic( Je
(ave %ust indicated $or t(e Cat(olic %urist and statesman.
VII
+(e ideas Je (ave set $ort( ma; also be use$ul $or t(e Cat(olic %urist and statesman
>(en, in t(eir studies or in t(e exercise o$ t(eir pro$ession, t(e; come in contact >it(
t(e agreements GConcordats, +reaties, /greements, QModus vivendiR, etc. I >(ic( t(e
C(urc( Gt(at is to sa;, $or a long time no>, t(e /postolic "eeI (as concluded and still
concludes >it( sovereign states. +(e Concordats are $or (er an expression o$ t(e
collaboration bet>een t(e C(urc( and "tate. In principle, t(at is, in t(eor;, s(e cannot
approve complete separation o$ t(e t>o po>ers. +(e Concordats, t(ere$ore, must assure
to t(e C(urc( a stable condition in rig(t and in $act in t(e "tate >it( >(ic( t(e; are
concluded, and must guarantee to (er $ull independence in t(e $ul$illment o$ (er divine
mission.
It is possible t(at t(e C(urc( and t(e "tate proclaim in a Concordat t(eir common
religious convictionB but it ma; also (appen t(at a Concordat (ave, toget(er >it( ot(er
purposes, t(at o$ $orestalling disputes >it( regard to questions o$ principle and o$
removing $rom t(e ver; beginning possible matters o$ con$lict. J(en t(e C(urc( (as set
(er signature to a Concordat, it (olds $or ever;t(ing contained t(erein. 3ut, >it( t(e
mutual ac<no>ledgment o$ bot( (ig( contracting parties, it ma; not (old in t(e same
>a; $or ever;t(ing. It ma; signi$; an express approval, but it ma; also mean a simple
tolerance, according to t(ose t>o principles >(ic( are t(e norm $or t(e coCexistence
GQconvivenzaRI o$ t(e C(urc( and (er $ait($ul >it( t(e civil po>ers and >it( men o$
anot(er belie$.
+(is, beloved sons, is >(at Je intended to treat o$ >it( ;ou rat(er $ull;. 5or t(e rest,
Je are con$ident t(at t(e international communit; can banis( ever; danger o$ >ar and
establis( peace, and, as $ar as t(e C(urc( is concerned, can guarantee to (er $reedom o$
action ever;>(ere, so t(at s(e ma; be able to establis( in t(e spirit and (eart, in t(e
t(oug(ts and actions o$ men, t(e Tingdom o$ .im >(o is t(e ,edeemer, t(e 0a>giver,
t(e Kudge, t(e 0ord o$ t(e >orld, Kesus C(rist, >(o rules as ?od over all t(ings, blessed
$orever GQ,om.R 9DFI.
J(ile >it( -ur paternal good >is(es Je $ollo> ;our >or< $or t(e greater good o$
nations and $or t(e per$ecting o$ international relations, $rom t(e $ullness o$ -ur (eart
Je impart to ;ou, as a pledge o$ t(e ric(est divine graces, t(e /postolic 3enediction.