Gaudiumetspes, Second Vatican Council, 1965

GaudiumetSpes, Second Vatican Council, 1965

Vatican II’s The Church in the Modern World is seen bymany to be the most important document of the Church’ssocial teaching. It says that the technological and social changes in the world provide bothwonderful opportunities and worrisome difficulties for human dignity and the common good.

Some of the issues it is concerned about are:

1. Marriage and the Family: Families are the foundation of society. Destructive to marriage are: divorce, casual sex, selfishness, worship ofpleasure, overpopulation.Marriage is intended for the procreation and education of children and a whole manner andcommunion of life.Responsible parenthood is essential. From the moment of conception, life must be regarded with sacred care (#51).The healthy condition of individuals and society depends on stable families (#52).

1. Making the World a better Place: Christians should be inspired to build a more human world on earth. Danger exists that humans may rely on modern discoveries and stop searching for God. Everyone has a right to culture and education, so that they can develop as a whole person.

1. Wealth: God intended the earth for everyone; private property should benefit all. Fundamental imbalances between wealth and poverty exist in today’s world. Extreme differences in wealth are unjust. Everybody is equal, because everyone is made in the image of God, and everyone has a right to the basic goods of life, for themselves and their families. Huge inequalities in wealth make it difficult for there to be peace among people.

1. Technology & Work: Technological progress which serves the whole person must be fostered. Progress must be controlled by humanity (#65). Humans should not be considered as machines, to be used for economic gain. All work should promote the dignity of human beings. Economic activity that takes advantage of people is wrong and inhuman.Workers should be able to actively participate in their place of work, and feel part of it.

1. Peace:With modern weapons, humanity is in a crisis situation. “Peace”must be based on love, harmony, trust, and justice. War should be avoided, and people should be free to speak out against it. War is only acceptable to right a wrong and restore justice – wars to dominate others are always wrong. It is acceptable to join the army, but not to blindly follow orders. Soldiers must discern for themselves what may be justly required of them to do. Stockpiling weapons will never build peace, it only fosters wars. Everyone has responsibility to work for disarmament. It is never acceptable to attack centres of non-fighting populations.