Gaudium et Spes - Definition and Overview

Gaudium et Spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, was one of the chief accomplishments of the Second Vatican Council. Approved by a vote of 2,307 to 75 of the bishops assembled at the council, and was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965. As is customary with Catholic documents, the title is from the first sentence and means "Joy and Hope" in Latin.

Contents

Introduction: The Situation of Men in the Contemporary World

Part 1 - The Church and Man's Calling

1. The Dignity of the Human Person
2. The Community of Mankind
3. Man's Activity throughout the World
4. The Role of the Church in the Modern World

Part 2 - Some Problems of Special Urgency

1. Marriage and the Family
2. Development of Culture
3. Economic and Social Life
4. Political Community
5. Peace and the Community of Nations

External links

• full text in English (http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html)