Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The church must be vigilant toward the media because of the ever-present
danger of their abuse, but must also use the media where opportune.
Inter Mirifica The Church recognizes that these media, if properly utilized, can be of
December 4,
(Decree on the Instruments Pope Paul VI great service to mankind, since they greatly contribute to men's entertainment
1963
of Social Communication) and instruction as well as to the spread and support of the Kingdom of God.
The Church recognizes, too, that men can employ these media contrary to the
plan of the Creator and to their own loss
Christus Dominus
Bishops are the pastors of their own local churches, and collaborate with
(Decree on the Bishops October 28,
Pope Paul VI other bishops through episcopal conferences and with the pope and all other
Pastoral Office in the 1965
bishops through the episcopal college. Authority is always for service.
Church)
Perfectae Caritatis The renewal of religious life (a life lived according to the evangelical
(Decree on the Appropriate October 28, counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience) must be based on the Gospel,
Pope Paul VI
Renewal of the Religious 1965 the original purposes of the community, and the changed conditions of the
Life) times.
Optatam Totius
October 28, There must be a closer connection between seminary training and the
(Decree on Priestly Pope Paul VI
1965 pastoral situation.
Formation)
Gravissimum Educationis
October 28, Education must be broadly humane and up-to-date, with a concern for
(Declaration on Christian Pope Paul VI
1965 personal maturity and social responsibility.
Education)
Nostra Aetate
God speaks also through other religions, so we should engage in dialogue
(Declaration on the October 28,
Pope Paul VI and other collaborative efforts with them. The Jews have a special
Relationship of the Church 1965
relationship to the church. They cannot be blamed for the death of Jesus.
to Non-Christian Religions)
Apostolicam Actuositatem
November 18, The laity participates in the mission of the church, but especially in the
(Decree on the Apostolate Pope Paul VI
1965 temporal order.
of the Laity)
Dignitatis Humanae No one is to be forced in any way to embrace the Christian or the
December 7,
(Declaration on Religious Pope Paul VI Catholic faith. This principle is rooted in human dignity and the freedom of
1965
Freedom) the act of faith.
Ad Gentes The Gospel is to be preached also and always to non-Christians, but not
December 7,
(Decree on the Churchs Pope Paul VI as a culturally alien reality. Evangelization is an obligation for every member
1965
Missionary Activity) of the church.
Presbyterorum Ordinis
December 7, Priests are members of a presbytery in union with a bishop, and with him
(Decree on the Ministry and Pope Paul VI
1965 serve the building up of Christ's body.
Life of Priests)
Gaudium et Spes The church must read the signs of the times and interpret them in the
(Pastoral Constitution on the December 7, light of the Gospel. The church does not exist alongside or apart from the
Pope Paul VI
Church in the Modern 1965 world; the church is part of the world, and its mission is to serve the whole
World) human family in order to make the human race's history more human.