Social Order - Vol. 13 - International Commitment in Pacem in Terris

Sep 28, 2026

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Social Order issue from September 1963 examines Catholic international engagement in the context of Pope Paul VI’s remarks and the Vatican’s approach to world peace. It highlights collaboration with nations and men of good will, frames the United Nations as an instrument of brotherhood, and discusses attitudes toward nuclear test ban and global stability. The editor’s desk addresses a “baffling paradox” among some American Catholics and directs readers to John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris as a guide for action rooted in truth, justice, love, and freedom.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Editor’s Desk

Traditional Doctrine

Baffling Paradox

Pacem in Terris

Catholic Responsibility

Social Order SEPTEMBER,1963 The Editors of Social Orderand the Officials of theCatholic Association forInternational Peace Cooperate in Presenting aDiscussion onPacem in Terris CommunismDisarmamentUnited NationsHuman Rights Order Vol.13SEPTEMBER,1963No.7From the Editor's DeskEditorLoUIs J.TwoMEY,S.J.ManagingHuman Rights:Editor 1 Key to World Order5HERBERT O'H.WALKER,S.J.CATHERINE SCHAEFERCirculationManagerANN M.SCHULERAssistantUN and Papal Designto the Editorfor World Government14FLORENCE A.FLAHERTYALBA ZizZAMIAEditorialAdvisory BoardRICHARD J.CHILDRESSJOHN E.DUNSFORDPAUL F.HANLONDisarmament:FruitTHOMAS P.NEILLof Mutual Trust25ANN Q.NIEDERLANDERGEORGE D.WENDELJAMES E.DoUGHERTY Instituteof Social OrderActing DirectorTHEODORE V.PURCELL,S.J.A New Approach to Communism?MembersJoSEPH M.BECKER,S.J.VICTOR C.FERKISSLEO C.BROWn,S.J.JOHN L.THOMAS,S.J.LouIS J.TwoMEY,S.J.HERBERT O'H.WALKER,S.J.48 38 Book Review # International Commitmentin Pacem in Terris "How many continue to shut themselves up withinthe narrow confines of the chauvinistic nationalism,in-compatible with the courageous effort to start a worldcommunity demanded by recent Popes!” This stinging indictment came from no less a Cath-olic spokesman than Paul VI.At the time,1953,he wasPro-Secretary of State under Pius XII.In the interven-ing years he has not abated his preoccupation with in-ternational affairs. editor’sdesk Since his accession to the papal throne,he has oftenunderscored this preoccupation.On July 2,in his audi-ence with President Kennedy,the Holy Father spokeon race relations,space exploration,world peace,andAmerican aid to developing nations.On July 11,hewelcomed U Thant,Secretary-General of the UnitedNations,with a resounding commendation of the UN:“...the Holy See ...holds a very high conception ofthat international organism....It considers it an in-strument of brotherhood between nations...as thesteadily developing and improving form of the balancedand unified life of all humanity in its historical andearthly order.”The Pope told U Thant that the HolySee values the UN“as corresponding to its concept ofhumanity and included within the area of its spiritualmission in the world.” Again,in commenting on the limited test ban onnuclear weapons,signed in Moscow on August 5 by theministers of the United States,Great Britain,and theSoviet Union,the Holy Father said:"We welcome theseevents with the hope that they are really sincere and successful and that they may prepare the way forothers,for the tranquillity,order and peace of theworld."In addition,the Pope sent messages of con-gratulations to President Kennedy,Prime MinisterMacmillan,and Premier Khrushchev. ## Traditional Doctrine In all this Paul VI is following and intensifying thegreat tradition of his predecessors,notably Pius XII andJohn XXIII,in their consistent championing of enlight-ened internationalism. Thus the Church remains committed as before toa policy of intimate collaboration with all nations andmen of good will in their unending efforts to build aworld order worthy of the dignity of every humanperson. As one of the principal means to achieve this nobleend,the Vatican seeks to realize“an effective politicalorganization of the world,"and sees in such an organi-zation"nothing [that is]more in conformity with thetraditional doctrine of the Church”(Pius XII to theWorld Movement for World Federal Government,April 6,1951). ## Baffling Paradox In the light of these clear policy statements fromthe highest authority in the Church,it is a matter ofgrave concern that an indeterminate but significantnumber of American Catholics,including some editorsof Catholic papers,still persist in shutting "themselvesup within the narrow cofines of...chauvinistic na-tionalism”and actively associating with men andgroups many of whose express purposes go directlycounter to those of the Church. It is not for us to pass judgment on these Catholicsor to strive here to unravel th

FAQs

What international role does the Vatican attribute to the United Nations in the editorial?

The editorial presents the UN as an instrument of brotherhood between nations, aligning it with the Holy See’s spiritual mission and concept of humanity.

Why does the editor describe a “baffling paradox” among some American Catholics?

It argues that some Catholics continue to associate with groups whose goals conflict with Church teachings, despite the Church’s clear internationalist policy statements.

Which document is used as the key guide for achieving universal peace?

The editorial points to John XXIII’s encyclical Pacem in Terris as the most complete exposition of Catholic thought on international relations and the ways to attain peace.

Sep 28, 2026

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