Abstract

The article presents the social consequences of moral truth based on John Paul II's encyclical Veritatis splendor. The principles and norms derived from the revealed truth inspire transformation in the world, while always protecting the integrity of personal being. Moral truth, in the Pope's opinion, bears two characteristic features, the internalization and universality of application. The social consequences of moral truth concern four areas of human activity. Culture expresses humanity of the individual. A contemporary demand is defending the integrity of culture, enriched by elements of Christian teaching. Another area is the nation, which is a natural community. Man draws values, attitudes, and behaviors from the national heritage. This heritage fosters preservation of identity of an individual who is jointly open to dialogue with others, often from other nations. The third area of moral truth is politics. The common good defines the authenticity of political activity that serves citizens. Apart from preservation of freedom and equality, democracy deepens the sense of social responsibility. A final area of the implications of moral truth is the social question. Humanizing references, aimed at overcoming all forms of injustice, is one of the main social themes in the teaching of John Paul II. The source material of the study is the teachings of John Paul II.