Declaration on Religious Freedom-no. 6

The protection and promotion of the inviolable rights of man ranks among the essential duties of government. Therefore, government is to assume the safeguard of the religious freedom of all its citizens, in an effective manner, by just laws and by other appropriate means. Government is also to help create conditions favorable to the fostering of religious life, in order that the people may be truly enabled to exercise their religious rights and to fulfill their religious duties, and also in order that society itself may profit by the moral qualities of justice and peace which have their origin in men’s faithfulness to God and to His holy will.
 
Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae), no. 6 December 7, 1965

These reflections and readings from the Vatican II document Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae) are intended
for daily use during the Fortnight for Freedom, a national campaign designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops for teaching and witness
in support of religious liberty. The readings and the questions that follow can be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.