DECREE ON THE MISSION ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH AD GENTES December 7th, 1965   PREFACE 1. Divinely sent to the nations of the world to be unto them "a universal sacrament of salvation,"(1) the Church, driven by the inner necessity of her own catholicity, and obeying the mandate of her Founder (cf. Mark 16:16), strives ever to proclaim the Gospel to all men. The Apostles … [Read more...]

DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM  DIGNITATIS HUMANAE  ON THE RIGHT OF THE PERSON AND OF COMMUNITIES  TO SOCIAL AND CIVIL FREEDOM IN MATTERS RELIGIOUS  PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI  ON DECEMBER 7, 1965 1. A sense of the dignity of the human person has been impressing itself more and more deeply on the consciousness of contemporary man,(1) and the demand is … [Read more...]

DECREE ON THE APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY APOSTOLICAM ACTUOSITATEM  SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS, POPE PAUL VI ON NOVEMBER 18, 1965 INTRODUCTION 1. To intensify the apostolic activity of the people of God,(1) the most holy synod earnestly addresses itself to the laity, whose proper and indispensable role in the mission of the Church has already been dealt with in … [Read more...]

DECREE ON PRIESTLY TRAINING OPTATAM TOTIUS PROCLAIMED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI ON OCTOBER 28, 1965  Animated by the spirit of Christ, this sacred synod is fully aware that the desired renewal of the whole Church depends to a great extent on the ministry of its priests. It proclaims the extreme importance of priestly training and lays down certain basic … [Read more...]

DECREE ON THE ADAPTATION AND RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS LIFE  PERFECTAE CARITATIS  PROCLAIMED BY HIS HOLINESS  POPE PAUL VI  ON OCTOBER 28, 1965 1. The sacred synod has already shown in the constitution on the Church that the pursuit of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels draws its origin from the doctrine and example of the Divine Master and reveals itself as a … [Read more...]