Jacques Maritain (1882-1973, left) was an influential Catholic philosopher of the early 20th century. He promoted what he called an “integral humanism,” in which people of different religious faiths could contribute to the common good while still reflecting Christian values in a democratic society. His approach won the admiration of many, including a young bishop named Giovanni Battista Montini (1897-1978, right), who would become Pope Paul VI in 1963. Maritain’s influence on Vatican II and Paul VI are evidenced in Dignitatis Humanae, which embraces many of his ideas. Come out on April 25 as Controversies in Church History examines the history of “Dignitatis Humanae: Religious Liberty and the Church.” See the Upcoming Lecture page for further details.
