Pacem In Terris By Pope John XXIII In His Encyclical

Pacem In Terris By Pope John Xxiiiin His Encyclical Pacem In Terris

Pacem in Terris, by Pope John XXIII. In his encyclical Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII emphasizes the ordering of natural law. He acknowledges that certain rights and duties are innate and available to anyone. These rights and duties are given by nature and then maintained by human instinct and reason. Reason that is God-given and grants humans the ability to discover the order of nature, God created for the world. Pope John XXIII highlights this in the introduction of his encyclical, “But the Creator of the world has imprinted in man’s heart an order which his conscience reveals to him and enjoins him to obey” (PT no. 5).

After humans use their conscience to learn what the order of nature God created is, they then must actively live by this order. According to Pope John XXIII, following the natural law derived from the God-created order of nature is not all that is needed to achieve peace. Humans are inherently social by nature; therefore, they must maintain order in relationships emphasized by God’s teachings to achieve peace. Pacem in Terris was a papal encyclical that depicts that individuals and states have their rights and obligations as they exist in the world. It was among the first documents in the Catholic world to focus primarily on human rights.

The encyclical comprises four chapters: Chapter 1, Order in the Universe; Chapter 2, Relations Between Individuals and Public Authority; Chapter 3, Relations between States; and Chapter 4, Relationship of Men and Political Communities with the World Community. In Chapter 1, “Order between Men,” Pope John XXIII conveys that every human being has rights and obligations corresponding to their nature. He states, “His is a nature, that is endowed with intelligence and free will. As such he has rights and duties, which together flow as a direct consequence from his nature” (PT no. 9). This underscores the importance of equality and fairness among individuals. Everyone must have rights to moral and cultural values, to worship God according to their conscience, to choose their life path, to economic opportunities, to meet and associate, to emigrate or immigrate, and to participate actively in public life or politics. With these rights, individuals bear responsibilities; rights and duties are interconnected.

For example, the right to live entails a duty to preserve one’s life. Respecting individual rights also requires recognizing and respecting others’ rights. A well-ordered society hinges on truth, and this truth is rooted in God, the ultimate reality and creator of all existence. The recognition of this divine truth provides the foundation for justice and societal harmony.

The second chapter addresses the relations between individuals and public authorities. It emphasizes that a prosperous society relies on a proper relationship between citizens and civil authorities. Civil authorities must ensure rights are recognized, respected, and promoted, and that individuals can fulfill their duties more easily (PT no. 60). Although authority derives from God, individuals possess the right and responsibility to participate in choosing their leaders through democratic processes, such as voting. Citizens must also contribute to the common good by offering goods and services aligned with their capacities and circumstances, reinforcing the principle that everyone has a role in promoting societal well-being.

The concept of the common good is fundamental; every citizen’s contribution helps uphold societal stability and justice. When personal rights and duties are safeguarded, the collective interests are protected, fostering societal peace.

The third chapter discusses relations between states. Pope John XXIII advocates that disputes should be resolved through negotiation rather than violence or war. He emphasizes that civil authority exists not only to defend national borders but primarily to serve the broader purpose of promoting the common good of all humanity (PT no. 98). The universal love among nations and mutual understanding are essential to peace. Pope John XXIII envisions a future where nations recognize their intrinsic interconnectedness and cooperate for mutual benefit. The hope is that diplomatic negotiations replace conflicts, allowing nations to unite and foster global peace (PT no. 129).

The final chapter underscores the importance of international cooperation and the role of global institutions such as the United Nations. It recognizes that no state can pursue self-interest in isolation without harming the collective human family. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights exemplifies this aspiration, affirming that human rights are universal, inviolable, and inalienable. Pope John XXIII calls for the United Nations to continually adapt and strengthen its mechanisms to protect individual rights and promote peace (PT no. 145). The overarching message is that global peace hinges on respect for human rights, justice, and love among nations and their citizens.

In conclusion, Pacem in Terris advocates for a harmonious society rooted in natural law, respect for human rights, justice, and love. It emphasizes that peace is attainable through individual responsibility, just governance, diplomatic dialogue, and international cooperation. The encyclical’s timeless message encourages all humanity to strive for unity, understanding, and mutual respect, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. As Pope John XXIII asserts, peace on earth is a shared obligation that benefits everyone, enriching the human experience and honoring the divine order implanted in human nature.

References

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