Roman Catholic Hegemony and Religious Freedom: A Seventh-day Adventist Assessment of Dignitatis Humanae

Historically, the Roman Catholic Church had not recognized the religious freedom of other religious groups. During Vatican II (1962-1965), the Church reformed its historic stance on religious freedom through the Document, Dignitatis Humanae ("Of Human Dignity"). Since then, much debate regarding the meaning of Dignitatis Humanae has ensued, both within the Church and among non-Catholics. This work contributes to the ongoing debate, offering contemporary insights that provide a different perspective than is commonly understood. Relying primarily upon Catholic sources, the author investigates the historical, philosophical, theological, and political factors that contribute to the formulation of Dignitatis Humanae, which also explain the different ways that the Document is applied in Spain, Mexico, and the United States. This work demonstrates how Catholic hegemony is a factor that influences the application of Dignitatis Humanae.