First Post in the New Series

In the third section of the Syllabus, entitled Indifferentism, Latuitudinariasm, Blessed Pius condems the false concept of "religious freedom":

15. Every man is free to embrace and profess that religion which, guided by the light of reason, he shall consider true. -- Allocution "Maxima quidem," June 9, 1862; Damnatio "Multiplices inter," June 10, 1851.

Remember, please, that each statement of the Syllabus must be read with the words, "It is not true that" or, "It is a condemned (read "heretical") opinion that," being understood before the statement.

The Second Council of the Vatican, in its attack on the Traditional Magisterium, stated, "2. This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others within due limits.

"The council further declares that the right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person as this dignity is known through the revealed word of God and by reason itself.[2] This right of the human person to religious freedom is to be recognized in the constitutional law whereby society is governed and thus it is to become a civil right." Dignitatis Humanae, ¶ 2.

Does this statement of the Council mean that the worshippers of Kali have right "in the very dignity of the human person" to slaughter merchants with the garotte? This is a basic belief of their religion! Does the Council intend that this "right" should "be recognized in the constitutional law" and "become a civil right"? Or if revived Druidism wishes to return to their traditional practice of human sacrifice, shall this "right", too, be recognised by the "dogma of Vatican II"? Comments are welcome!