Expert: Fr. Michael - 1/26/2010

Question
Father, did the Church ever object to the ammendment of freedom of religion in the Constitution for the same reasons Archbishop Lefebvre rejected the Declaration of Religious Freedom document from the Vatican II Council?

Answer
There is only one true religion and, ideally, the State should foster that religion.  However, the State is not an ideal institution, and therefore the Church has traditionally recognized that passive (never active) toleration may be admitted for those in ignorance.  The problem with Vatican II is that its teaching has been interpreted as supporting *active* toleration.  That position is contrary to Catholic teaching.