NOVI STAVOVI KATOLIČKE CRKVE U ODNOSU CRKVE I DRŽAVE
NEW ATTITUDES OF THE CATHOLlC CHURCH IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE

Summary/Abstract: As the origins of today's attitudes of the Catholic Church towards the state, the author designates three theological notions that were expressed most clearly in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council: recognition of religious pluralism in society, affirmative attitude towards religious freedom in every society, autonomy of temporal realities, societies with regard to religion and the Church. The result of these teachings was a new practice which was not quite the same in all parts of the world. Therefore, in order to fully comprehend this practice, one must also take into account the cultural and historical circumstances. The differences can best be observed in the understanding of Catholicism, how "alive" it is in the culture, tradition of a nation. One must distinguish between personal faith from the faith existant in culture. It is important to bear in mind the degree of secularization of Christian culture which has retained within it Christian religious elements, but without a true personal relation towards God.

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