Pope John Paul II: Message to the Participants in the Plenary of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (October 22, 1996)

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Hubble photo of distant galaxy

Pope John Paul II’s address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences’ Plenary Session on
‘The Origins and Early Evolution of Life’: “How do the conclusions reached by the various scientific disciplines coincide with those contained in the message of Revelation? And if, at first sight, there are apparent contradictions, in what direction do we look for their solution? We know, in fact, that truth cannot contradict truth…” Image links to Pontifical Academy of Sciences translation.  See also Appendix I, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger: In the Beginning…, for a contemporary meditation on the Genesis creation accounts.

Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople: Joint Catholic-Orthodox Declaration

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Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I embrace

A joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration, proclaimed 7 December 1965, committing the excommunications, related to Papal embassy to Constantinople in 1054, to oblivion. The declaration marks a first step toward reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox communions. Image links to Vatican translation.

Vatican II

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Dispersion of the Fathers, Second Vatican Council, by Lothar Wolleh

Considered by the Holy See an ecumenical council, Vatican II (A.D. 1962-65), was summoned by Pope John XXIII and begins a new phase in the development of the Church. The Council sought to initiate the adaptation of the Church to the modern world – presenting Christ as the relevant Truth even in the present age. Image above links to the Vatican translations of the Council decrees. ISBN recommendation: 0-87840-490-2

Herbert J. Thurston, S.J. and Donald Attwater: Butler’s Lives of the Saints

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Menaion icon depicting the saints of the liturgical year

A 2,932 page collection of 2,565 scholarly, informative, and edifying Catholic hagiographical vitae arranged according to date of feast day. A 1956 enlargement, revision, and update of Rev. Alban Butler’s The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, Compiled from Original Monuments and Authentic Records. Image links to online version. ISBN recommendation: 0-87061-1372

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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Eleanor Roosevelt holding the text of United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, November 1949

A refinement and advancement of the principles set forth in The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789), The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides a contemporary common ground starting point for the development of peaceful and fraternal/sororal relations among humans worldwide. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 10 December 1948. Image links to official UN English text.