Dignitatis Humanae: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Declaration on Religious Freedom of the Second Vatican Council, Dignitatis Humanae is subtitled On the Right of the Person and of Communities to Social and Civil Freedom in Matters Religious. The passage of this measure by a vote of 2,308 to 70 by the bishops assembled is considered by many one of the most significant events of the council. This declaration was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965. The document's title means "dignity of the human person" in Latin and comes from the first line of the declaration, as is customary with Roman Catholic documents.

Contents

1. The General Principles of Religious Freedon
2. Religious Freedom in the Light of Revelation

The English Text is available on the Vatican web site at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html