Historical Context of Pacem in Terris

Summary

The video script discusses Pope John XXIII's 1963 encyclical 'Pacem in Terris,' which advocates for global peace during the Cold War era. It addresses the Cuban Missile Crisis's threat and calls for mutual disarmament to build trust. The encyclical also condemns injustices, especially under Marxist regimes like the USSR, emphasizing human rights and dignity. Pope John XXIII stresses that peace is unattainable without adherence to divine order, natural law, and personal moral rectitude, urging individuals and nations to prioritize justice for lasting peace.

Takeaways

• 📜 The encyclical 'Pacem in Terris' by Pope John XXIII, published in 1963, emphasizes peace on earth and the importance of human dignity.
• 🗓 It was written during the Cold War, a period of tension and fear due to the threat of nuclear warfare, particularly following the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• 💡 Pope John XXIII called for mutual disarmament and building trust between nations, rather than an arms race, to achieve lasting peace.
• 👨‍💻 The encyclical addresses the injustices of the time, especially under Marxist regimes like the USSR, where human rights were severely restricted.
• 🏛 It highlights the importance of individual rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to participate in politics.
• 🙏 The Pope stresses that humans should not be expendable for the sake of some higher goal, which was a common Marxist view.
• 🌿 The document discusses the natural law and eternal law, suggesting that living in accordance with these laws is essential for peace.
• 🚫 It condemns the violation of natural law through sin, which can lead to injustice and war.
• 🌐 Pope John XXIII emphasizes that justice must start within the individual and extend to relationships between people and between nations.
• ✝️ The encyclical suggests that peace can never be guaranteed without diligent observance of divinely established order.

Q & A

What is the title of Pope John XXIII's encyclical published in 1963?

The title of Pope John XXIII's encyclical published in 1963 is 'Pacem in Terris', which means 'Peace on Earth'.

Why was it unusual for Pope John XXIII to publish an encyclical during the Second Vatican Council?

It was unusual because normally, a Pope would not publish an encyclical while a council was ongoing, indicating the importance Pope John XXIII placed on this document.

What was the historical context of the Cold War as mentioned in the script?

The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the USSR, marked by the threat of nuclear warfare and a policy of mutually assured destruction to deter attacks.

What specific event in 1963 heightened the fear of nuclear war mentioned in the script?

The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963 was a significant event that narrowly avoided nuclear war, increasing the fear of such a conflict.

What did Pope John XXIII call for in response to the arms race during the Cold War?

Pope John XXIII called for mutual disarmament and the building of trust between countries, rather than relying on fear.

What was the other important context for 'Pacem in Terris' mentioned in the script?

The other context was the injustice practiced in many countries, particularly under Marxist regimes like the USSR, where human rights were severely restricted.

What freedoms were suppressed in the USSR as an example of injustice during the time of 'Pacem in Terris'?

In the USSR, freedoms such as media control, voting choices, religious liberty, and freedom of association were suppressed.

How does Pope John XXIII emphasize the dignity of the human person in 'Pacem in Terris'?

Pope John XXIII emphasizes the dignity of the human person by stating that the state exists for the person, not the other way around, and by highlighting rights such as freedom of religion and the right to life.

What does Pope John XXIII mean by 'the diligent observance of the divinely established order' in 'Pacem in Terris'?

He refers to living in accordance with natural law and eternal law, which are reflections of God's goodness and the way humans are meant to live well.

How does the Pope connect sin to the problem of injustice and peace?

The Pope suggests that sin, rooted in human nature, leads to injustice. He argues that justice must start within the individual, ordering oneself according to natural law, to be a force for justice in the world.

What does Pope John XXIII suggest is the first place justice needs to happen?

Pope John XXIII suggests that justice needs to happen first within the individual, by becoming well-ordered according to the natural law.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Papal Encyclical and Cold War Context

The paragraph introduces Pope John XXIII's encyclical 'Pacem in Terris' (Peace on Earth), published in 1963. It highlights the historical context of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which created a tense atmosphere of fear due to the potential for nuclear war. Pope John XXIII, aware of his impending death from cancer, emphasized the urgency of peace and mutual disarmament between the USA and the USSR. He called for trust-building and a gradual disarmament plan to prevent the arms race from escalating further. The encyclical was published during the Second Vatican Council, underscoring its significance.

05:01

🗽 Injustices and Human Rights in Marxist Regimes

This paragraph delves into the injustices prevalent in many countries, particularly under Marxist regimes like the USSR. It discusses the suppression of human rights, including freedom of religion, media control, restricted voting, and persecution of religious individuals. The Pope's encyclical 'Pacem in Terris' stresses the dignity of the human person and the importance of rights such as freedom of worship, participation in politics, and the pursuit of truth. The Pope also addresses the violation of natural law and the role of sin in perpetuating injustice, which he sees as obstacles to peace. He advocates for justice at all levels—individual, societal, and international—to achieve peace.

Keywords

💡Parchment Ares

Parchment Ares is an encyclical published by Pope John XXIII in 1963, which means 'Peace on Earth.' It is a significant document in Catholic social teaching, focusing on peace and justice. The encyclical was published during a time of heightened global tension due to the Cold War and was one of Pope John XXIII's last acts before his death. It emphasizes the importance of mutual disarmament and trust-building between nations to achieve lasting peace.

💡Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc, after World War II. Characterized by a nuclear arms race and proxy wars, the Cold War is a key context for understanding the urgency of the themes in Parchment Ares. The Cuban Missile Crisis, mentioned in the script, was a particularly tense moment during the Cold War, nearly leading to nuclear war.

💡Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

Mutually Assured Destruction is a doctrine of deterrence based on the theory that if two opposing sides possess sufficient nuclear weapons to destroy each other, neither side will initiate a conflict. The script discusses MAD in the context of the Cold War, illustrating the tense balance of power that existed between the USA and the USSR, and how it contributed to the fear of nuclear war.

💡Disarmament

Disarmament refers to the act of reducing, limiting, or eliminating weapons. In the script, Pope John XXIII calls for mutual disarmament as a means to achieve lasting peace. He advocates for an agreement between the USA and the USSR to stop building up weaponry and to engage in a gradual disarmament process, overseen by both parties to ensure compliance.

💡Marxist Regimes

Marxist regimes are governments that adhere to the principles of Marxism, a social, political, and economic theory originated by Karl Marx. The script uses the USSR as an example of a Marxist regime, highlighting the lack of freedoms and human rights, such as controlled media, restricted religious liberty, and state-controlled associations, which were in stark contrast to the values promoted in Parchment Ares.

💡Natural Law

Natural law is a philosophy that suggests there are universal moral laws that apply to all human beings, derived from nature and reason. In the context of the script, Pope John XXIII emphasizes that peace can only be established by observing the divinely established order, which includes the natural law. This law is inscribed within us and guides how we should live as human beings.

💡Eternal Law

Eternal law refers to the divine plan or order that governs the universe, as understood in theology. The script mentions that the natural law is a reflection of the eternal law of God, which is the truth about God's nature that is known for all eternity. Living in accordance with this law is seen as essential for achieving peace.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. The script contrasts the suppression of human rights in Marxist regimes with the rights emphasized in Parchment Ares, such as the right to worship, freedom of religion, and the right to participate in politics. These rights are seen as fundamental to the dignity of the human person.

💡Dignity of the Human Person

The dignity of the human person is a central theme in Catholic social teaching, asserting that every individual has inherent worth and should be treated with respect. The script discusses how Pope John XXIII stresses the importance of this dignity, arguing that the state exists for the person, not the other way around, and that human rights should be protected.

💡Sin

Sin, in a religious context, refers to an act or omission that goes against the will of God. The script connects sin to the violation of natural law and the pursuit of personal or national interests at the expense of justice. It suggests that peace cannot be achieved unless individuals and nations address sin within themselves and strive for justice.

💡Justice

Justice in the script refers to the principle of moral rightness based on ethics, law, and fairness. It is presented as a prerequisite for peace, requiring that individuals, nations, and the relationships between them adhere to principles of fairness and respect for human rights. The Pope's encyclical calls for justice at multiple levels: within the individual, between individuals, and between nations.

Highlights

Introduction of the new unit on 'Pacem in Terris', an encyclical by Pope John XXIII published in 1963.

The title 'Pacem in Terris' translates to 'Peace on Earth', reflecting the encyclical's central theme.

Pope John XXIII was aware of his terminal cancer while writing the encyclical.

The encyclical was published two months before his death, emphasizing its importance.

It was published during the Second Vatican Council, an unusual timing for an encyclical.

The Cold War context of the encyclical, marked by the threat of nuclear warfare.

The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963 heightened fears of nuclear war.

Pope John XXIII called for mutual disarmament to build lasting peace.

The Pope emphasized trust-building between countries over an arms race.

The injustices practiced worldwide, especially under Marxist regimes, were a significant context for the encyclical.

The USSR's suppression of human rights and freedoms was a stark example of the injustices addressed.

The Pope stressed the dignity of the human person and the state's role in serving the individual.

The encyclical emphasized rights such as freedom of religion and participation in politics.

The Pope discussed the importance of natural law and eternal law for achieving peace.

The concept that peace can only be established through adherence to divine order was introduced.

The Pope highlighted the need for justice at various levels: within the individual, between individuals, and between nations.

The encyclical suggests that peace is undermined by sin and the violation of natural law.

The Pope called for individuals to order themselves according to natural law to be forces for justice.

Transcripts

hello students welcome back time to

start a new unit the unit on parchment

Ares which was published in 1963 by pope

john xxiii the encyclical title means

peace on earth and that is what the

encyclical is concerned with pope john

xxiii knew he was dying of cancer while

he wrote this encyclical he died two

months after it was published he

published it during the Second Vatican

Council which is not normal for a pope

to publish an encyclical as a council

goes on that shows I think the

importance that he gave to this

encyclical as one of the last things

that he did on earth and as something

that he published during a council what

is the context of this I'm going to give

two contexts for this in the history at

the time

one is the Cold War the Cold War lasted

from about the end of World War two

until 1989 when the Berlin Wall came

down the Cold War was the world powers

above all the United States of America

and the USSR threatening one another

with nuclear weaponry recognizing that

the other had the power to totally

destroy their nation and to kill most if

not all of the people in that nation and

making sure that they could send

something back to destroy their nation

as well the idea being to through the

principle of what was called mutually

assured destruction to make sure that

there was deterrence that if one group

shot they knew they were going to be

destroyed so they're very likely not to

fire off nuclear weaponry this was a

very tense and terrifying time if you

look at the literature of the period

like dr. Strangelove you can see that

this was kind of an overwhelming fear

that people had that they their children

their whole life could be snuffed out in

the blink of an eye if nuclear weapons

were fired the whole world as we know it

could be destroyed well in 1963 there

was a particularly strong sense of fear

because the Cuban Missile Crisis had

been narrowly avoided thanks

God it was avoided nuclear weapons

weren't fired between the USA and the

USSR but the whole world saw this could

easily have gone the other way so it was

a time of justified fear of nuclear war

the Pope called for mutual disarmament

he said that the arms race could never

build a lasting peace that lasting peace

could only come about by building trust

between countries not fear he did not

necessarily condemn one country building

up weaponry if the other refused to stop

doing so he doesn't talk about that

explicitly but what he does call for is

agreement between the two parties

between the US SA and the Europe the USA

and the USSR that the two parties agree

to stop building up weaponry and come to

some sort of plan of gradual disarmament

where each can kind of oversee what the

other is doing making sure that

someone's not cheating on their side of

the treaty he really wants that to

happen

another important context for this

encyclical is the injustice practiced in

many countries throughout the world and

in particular I think the injustice

practiced under Marxist regimes looking

at the USSR as a striking example of

this you had in the USSR many freedoms

many human rights that were pushed down

very intensely so for example all media

was controlled by the state outside

media was prohibited as far as that was

possible an order that people would not

be able to think about things or at

least have help in thinking about things

that were contrary to the communist

ideas you had voting now voting was

allowed but all of the candidates were

chosen by the Communist Party so you

didn't really have any other option

other than the Communist Party chosen

people when you voted religious liberty

was at least strongly curtailed it

wasn't absolutely forbidden to be

religious but religion was ridiculed was

pressed down atheism was aggressively

pushed within the school's church

property was taken away oppression in

different ways of people who are

religious keeping them out of positions

of authority certainly but also torture

imprisonment by even death for people

who are religious and especially

religious leaders was commonplace in the

USSR there was no right to a symbol to

attain political ends or labor ends all

of those associations that were legal

were run directly by the state and so

pushed the normal propaganda there were

show trials that were conducted or to

give the appearance of justice but the

decision was already made before the

trial began so this was a context for

parchment Ares and you see that I think

in what the Pope stresses first the

dignity of the human person that the

person does not exist for the state but

the state for the person he goes through

rights that seem like many of them ones

that are on exactly the opposite side

from what would happen in the USSR and

other Marxist nations he emphasizes the

right to worship God the right right of

freedom of religion the right to a

symbol and to attain important ends the

right to take part in politics in an

active free way the right to justice

within the community a right to life to

not be killed a right to seek truth and

not have that kept from you all of these

seem to be exactly on the other side

from Marxism which is why I think that

is an important context for the Pope's

encyclical one more thing before we end

this is not really an historical context

but

something that I think is important an

important theme of the encyclical that

I'd like to bring here the Pope starts

the encyclical in this way I found this

very striking peace on earth which man

throughout the ages has so longed for

and sought after can never be

established never guaranteed except by

the diligent observance of the divinely

established order what he means by that

he draws out later on he's talking about

the natural law and the eternal law the

natural law is the law of our nature how

we live well as human beings

specifically that's our nature our

personal human nature natural laws that

that's inscribed in us from the eternal

law which is the truth about himself

that is known by God for all eternity we

and our nature are a particular

reflection of the eternal law of God of

His goodness and we live well by living

in accordance with that law inscribed

within our being an example of acting

against that is when persons are

considered as disposable for the sake of

some higher goal as happened in the USSR

when people were considered explicitly

to be expendable so that the Marxist

revolution could go on its way to attain

its final end it's purely

consequentialist you can use people

however you want as long as you're

attaining some greater good the hopes

idea is exactly contrary to that another

aspect in which we violate the natural

law and in so doing work against peace

is actually through sin sin that's

rooted in us think of the deadly sins

avarice lust Envy those sins rooted in

us lead us to injustice if it weren't

for seeking things in a way that is

unfitting to us as human beings or a way

that's too strong too much we would

never do injustice if there were no

avarice there would never have been

slavery so the first place where justice

has to happen

within ourselves we need to become well

ordered according to the natural law we

need to love things in the right way at

the right time etc to seek the proper

order within ourselves so that we then

can be a force for justice in the world

rather than being those who kind of seek

our own ends too much in the wrong way

and become part of the problem the

injustice that leads to war that leads

to lack of peace and then cyclical it

seems to me that is stated here in this

wonderful quote that you see on the page

within the person the problem of sin

then you have he talks about the

relationship between human and human

that that needs to be just between

nation and persons that that needs to be

just and then only does he talk about

relationship between nation and nation

at all these different levels person

between us between nation and person and

between nations there needs to be

justice if there's going to be peace god

bless you see you soon