PACEM IN TERRIS

“PEACE ON EARTH”
 When Pope John XXIII issued Pacem in
Terris in 1963, the Second Vatican Council
was still in progress. It was the time of
the Cold War, the erection of the Berlin
Wall, and a growing threat of nuclear
war. In fact, Pacem in Terris was a
response to the Cuban missile crisis in
which the world narrowly avoided a
nuclear war. It is also known by the
English title Peace on Earth.
WHAT IS PACEM IN TERRIS ALL ABOUT?

• Encyclical on establishing universal peace in

truth, justice, charity and liberty.
• Addressed not just to Catholics but also to “all
men of good will”.
• Two months after the completion of Pacem in
Terris, Pope John XXIII died of cancer at age 81.
• The world has seen continued economic,
scientific and technological growth.
• These tremendous advances are examples of
“the infinite greatness of God Himself, who
created both man and the universe”.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE REPEATS THE APPEAL
MADE IN MATER ET MAGISTRA:

• Every nation assists those in economic

development.
• The continued integration of the world economy
has meant that no state can pursue its own
interests in isolation.
• Growing economic interdependence requires
cooperation for progress.
• Pacem in Terris focuses on issues of people
in nuclear age. It revisits the application of
peace in a nuclear age. It revisits the
application of the just war theory criteria in
the light of the development of the these
new weapons of mass destruction.
• It examines the relationships among human
beings, relationships between citizens and
public authorities, relationships between
states, and finally, relationships among the
people and states in the international
community. It sets out rights and duties in
all of these areas.
• It was the first time a major Catholic Social
Teaching document was addressed not just
to Catholics but all to people of good will. It
was also the first time a social encyclical
used the language of “signs of times”. This
indicates the beginning of a shift in the
theological methodology of the teachings.
• The purpose of the public authority, or
government, is to attain the common good. This is
best achieved when personal rights and duties are
protected. The condition of people is a major
consideration when determining the form of
government in a country. Government must also
never disregard the moral law and justice must be
administered impartially.
• Each country has the right to existence, to self
development, and the means to achieve their
development. Minority groups should be
protected and be allowed to live in association
with the other people within a state.
PRINCIPLE OF HUMAN DIGNITY

• All humanity was created in God’s own image and

likeness (Gen.1:26) and endowed with
intelligence and freedom and give power over the
Earth.
• We have the freewill to do our rights and duties.
PRINCIPLE OF RESPECT TO HUMAN LIFE

• Each person has the right to life and the means

necessary to live their life.
• In addition, all of humanity has a natural right to
be respected, to worship God, to live their life as
they choose, to work and support a family, to
form associations, to immigrate and to take an
active role in life.
PRINCIPLE OF ASSOCIATION

• United Nations Organization (UN) was established

to promote PEACE between nations.
• Men are by nature social. They have the right
together to form associations with their fellows
to attain their objectives.
PRINCIPLE OF PARTICIPATION

• Each individual will make his whole-hearted

contribution so that right and duties will be
more effectively observed.
PRINCIPLE OF PREFERENTIAL PROTECTION FOR THE
POOR AND VULNERABLE

• To achieve common good, the document

acknowledged that we should put more
attention to the less fortunate members of
the society and a state must promote
material and spiritual welfare of citizens.
PRINCIPLE OF SOLIDARITY

• Mutual collaboration
• We are part of one family. Thus, we should
work together to attain development.
PRINCIPLE OF HUMAN EQUALITY

• Men are equal in natural dignity and no men

have the capacity to force internal
compliance on the other.
To avoid war…

• We must be intent on building peace in an

increasingly dependent world.
• Working with other states to provide for the
common good is a constant endeavor and
Catholics must urge their political leaders to
do so.