DECLARATION ON THE RELATION
OF THE CHURCH TO
NON‐CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS
NOSTRA AETATE
PROCLAIMED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI
ON OCTOBER 28, 1965
Vatican II
Latest ecumenical council (1962-1965)
 Produced 62 documents that
fundamentally changed Church’s
relationship to the world and its self
understanding
 Has led to much division and tension
within Church
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Nostra Aetate
Church rejects nothing that is true and
holy in these religions.
 Regards with sincere reverence:
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– ways of conduct and of life
– precepts and teachings which, though
differing in many aspects from the ones she
holds
– ……reflect a ray of Truth which enlightens all
men.
Nostra Aetate on…
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Hinduism:
– tradition of contemplation of the divine mystery:
– searching philosophical inquiry:
– seeking freedom….through ascetical practices or
profound meditation
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Buddhism
– realizes the radical insufficiency of this changeable
world
– teaches a way by which [individuals] can acquire the
state of liberation, or attain…supreme illumination.
Nostra Aetate on Muslims
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They adore the one God, all powerful, Creator of heaven
and earth
Has spoken to men; they take pains to submit
wholeheartedly to…His will
Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they
revere Him as a prophet.
They honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times even call
on her with devotion.
They await the day of judgment and the resurrection of
the dead
They value the moral life and worship God especially
through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
Nostra Aetate on Judaism
Christian’s faith…have beginnings in
Israel’s election are
 Abraham's sons (Jews)….are mysteriously
included in the Church’s salvation
 The Church…cannot forget that she
received the revelation of the Old
Testament through….the Jews
 By Christ’ crucifixion…Jews and Gentiles
are reconciled and made one in Himself
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Nostra Aetate on Jewish People
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While Jews did not recognize nor in large number accept
the Gospel
nevertheless, God holds the Jews most dear
He does not repent of the gifts He made
The spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews
is so great…[we] want to foster mutual understanding
[through] biblical and theological studies as well as
fraternal dialogues.
Though the Jewish authorities…pressed for the death of
Christ, still, [the charge of deicide] cannot be charged
against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor
Jews of today.