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footnote: The Catholic Church abandoned its traditional standpoint in the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and accepted the principle of religious freedom. The Vatican Council studied "the sacred tradition and teaching of the Church-- the treasury, from which she brings forth new things ever in harmony with the old", and declared "that the individual has the right to religious liberty. This type of liberty means that every man should be immune from coercion from individuals, from social groups or any human authority: in religious matters no one should be forced to act against his conscience.." (end footnote).
(163:3)
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