„Prawo żywe i przemożne”: wolność religijna w nauczaniu Jana Pawła II

Abstract

The article on “Vivid and Pressing Right: Freedom of religion in John Paul’s Teaching” is a synthesis of main topics related to the papal doctrine. It was affirmed that the Pontiff developed the teaching of Vatican II on the subject and his teachings had ecumenical and deep humanistic significance. Human dignity is a basis for religious liberty. Freedom to search for the truth, moral conscience and responsibility for being witnesses to the faith are manifestations of the transcendental dimensions of human beings. It is the principle reason why the right of religious liberty should be protected. John Paul II underlined the fundamental role of religious liberty with regard to the other human rights and to the State’s constitution and law, to the culture and social customs too. The reason for this relationship is the integral vision of man and of human morality and the role of the social values which in itself forms part of the right for religious freedom. Religious liberty guarantees the fruitful mission of the Church in the society and her contribution for the common good. This right is an important factor for peaceful coexistence of different religions in a multicultural world.