ABSTRACT
The charge of intolerance has been laid against Christianity. This is a familiar charge and this chapter aims to test it by examining the vagaries of a key text in the Roman Catholic tradition of social teaching, the conciliar document Dignitatis humanae. Even though it was not totally unique to Catholicism – cuius regio eius religio was post-Reformation state policy in Europe right across the religious divide. The basis of the right to freedom in matters of religion is that only in freedom can the truth about human existence be grasped. Rico traces three phases in the Declaration's reception: the Vatican II phase; secondly, the confrontation with Communism under John Paul II; and thirdly, his challenge to values of Western liberal society. With the fall of Communism, an era ended and another era began. The Catholic Church is most clearly pitted in battle with the values of liberal society on sexuality and life issues.
