Ad Gentes

Ad Gentes is the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church. Passed by the bishops assembled by a vote of 2,394 to 5, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965. The title means "to the nations in Latin, and is from the first line of the decree, as is customary with Roman Catholic documents.

Contents

1. Doctrinal Principles
2. Mission Work Itself
3. Particular Churches
4. Missionaries
5. Organization of Missionary Activity
6. Cooperation

The text in English is available on the Vatican web site at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_ad-gentes_en.html