PROCEEDINGS OF THE LATVIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Religious freedom today: Church, politics, and diplomacy

https://doi.org/10.53231/LZAV.22.2.3
Keywords: religious freedom, human dignity, diplomacy of the Holy See, multilateralism
Language: In Latvian

The article views the principle of religious freedom that is based on human dignity, as it is understood by the Catholic Church. Such an understanding has been formulated by the Second Vatican Council and has taken a permanent place in various levels of Church teachings as well as in bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations maintained by the Holy See. The author focuses on the history and guidelines of the Council’s declaration Dignitatis Humanae and highlights the diplomatic efforts of the Holy See in the field of human rights, and particularly, religious freedom. There are viewed also opportunities and challenges while guaranteeing religious freedom or standing up for it as well as various related initiatives.