Religious & Irreligious Freedom in Catholic Magisterial Teaching

In the Second Vatican Council’s Dignitatis Humanae, Catholic Church declares that all persons have a right to religious freedom. One question left unaddressed by this declaration, as well subsequent theological debate, is whether notion of freedom extends atheists. following, I attempt answer analyzing some Church’s most relevant Magisterial documents. examine compelling reasons for thinking teaching does not extend atheist, especially when public propagation atheism in question. However, final section, consider one sense which acknowledge atheist: “unbelievers” must be free make act faith and formally embrace Christian religion. sense, conclude, atheist other unbelievers enjoy even greater than baptized Christians.