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The fact is that men of the present day want to be able freely
to profess their religion in private and in public. Indeed, religious
freedom has already been declared to be a civil right in most
constitutions, and it is solemnly recognized in international
documents.[38] The further fact is that forms of government still
exist under which, even though freedom of religious worship receives
constitutional recognition, the powers of government are engaged in the
effort to deter citizens from the profession of religion and to make
life very difficult and dangerous for religious communities.
This council greets with joy the first of these two facts as among the
signs of the times. With sorrow, however, it denounces the other
fact, as only to be deplored. The council exhorts Catholics, and it
directs a plea to all men, most carefully to consider how greatly
necessary religious freedom is, especially in the present condition of
the human family. All nations are coming into even closer unity. Men
of different cultures and religions are being brought together in closer
relationships. There is a growing consciousness of the personal
responsibility that every man has. All this is evident.
Consequently, in order that relationships of peace and harmony be
established and maintained within the whole of mankind, it is necessary
that religious freedom be everywhere provided with an effective
constitutional guarantee and that respect be shown for the high duty and
right of man freely to lead his religious life in society.
May the God and Father of all grant that the human family, through
careful observance of the principle of religious freedom in society,
may be brought by the grace of Christ and the power of the Holy
Spirit to the sublime and unending and "glorious freedom of the sons
of God" (Rom. 8:21).
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