Pacem in Terris addresses rights and international peace
About this date: The year dates this event or document, not the beginning of every practice it describes.
John XXIII's encyclical links peace with human dignity, rights, duties, and the responsibilities of political authority.
Historical context
Addressed beyond the Catholic hierarchy to people of good will, the document treats peace as a matter of social relationships and international order.
Key points
- It names rights to food, shelter, medical care, and education.
- Rights carry corresponding obligations toward others.
- Public authority is directed toward the common good and constrained by moral duties.
People
- John XXIII
Sources and further reading
- Pacem in Terris
Defines rights and duties and the moral purpose of government.