The Catholic Church defines religious freedom as intimately connected to human dignity 1 2. This connection is highlighted in the Second Vatican Council's Declaration Dignitatis Humanae, which asserts the right to religious freedom is founded on the very dignity of the human person 3 1 4.

Here's how the Church explains the relationship:

• Inherent Dignity: Human beings, endowed with reason and free will, are morally obligated to seek the truth, especially religious truth, and to order their lives according to its demands 5 6.
• Freedom from Coercion: Because of their dignity, individuals should be free from coercion by any human power, whether private or public. No one should be forced to act against their beliefs, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits 6.
• Foundation in Human Nature: The right to religious freedom is not based on subjective feelings but on human nature itself 6. This right persists even in those who may not fulfill their obligation to seek the truth 6.
• Civil Right: The Church states that religious freedom should be recognized in constitutional law, thus becoming a civil right 1 6.
• Essential for Human Flourishing: Religious freedom is not merely about private thought or worship but also about living according to the ethical principles derived from discovered truth, both privately and publicly 4.
• Religious Dimension of the Individual: Respect for human dignity requires recognition of the religious dimension of the individual, which is inextricably bound up with their very reality 7. An individual's relationship with God is a constitutive element of their being 7.
• Limits to Religious Freedom: Religious freedom is not a moral license to adhere to error, nor is it an implicit right to error 3. The exercise of religious freedom must respect the just requirements of public order 8 6. The state should ensure that the rights of all individuals and communities are equally guaranteed while safeguarding public order 9.
• Individual and Communal Expression: Religious freedom is expressed not only through internal, individual acts but also through visible, communal acts, both private and public 8. This includes professing and practicing faith, which creates bonds within religious communities 8.
• Atheism and Religious Freedom: Even from a purely human point of view, it is difficult to accept a position that grants atheism the right of citizenship in public and social life while believers are merely tolerated or treated as second-class citizens 10.
• Defense of the Human Person: In defending religious freedom, the Church defends the truth about the human person, not merely an institutional prerogative 5.

In summary, the Church views religious freedom as a fundamental requirement of human dignity 9 7, essential for personal fulfillment and the common good of society 7. It encompasses the right to seek truth, adhere to it, and live according to one's beliefs, both individually and communally, without coercion, while respecting public order 8 6.