Vatican II

Unique among Church councils. Called not to stamp out heresy but to help the Church enter the modern world. Largest council in history and most representative in terms of culture and nations. Both non-Catholic and lay observers were invited. Had tremendous press coverage.

Began Oct. 11th, 1962, ended Dec. 8th, 1965. Council was responsible for 16 documents, seven of which emerged as most important. These seven documents deal in one way or another with the inner nature of the Church and its workings or with the Church and its relationship to the world.

Seven Key Documents

Document Some Key Insights

(Constitution on the Church) Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation

Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation Gaudium et spes (The Church in the Modern World) the Church must read the signs of the time and interpret them in the light of the Gospel

Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation Gaudium et spes (The Church in the Modern World) the Church must read the signs of the time and interpret them in the light of the Gospel Decree on Ecumenism talks of restoring Christian unity, rather than a return of fallen-away Christians to Roman Catholicism

Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation Gaudium et spes (The Church in the Modern World) the Church must read the signs of the time and interpret them in the light of the Gospel Decree on Ecumenism talks of restoring Christian unity, rather than a return of fallen-away Christians to Roman Catholicism Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy everyone is encouraged to participate fully in the Eucharist and other Sacraments

Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation Gaudium et spes (The Church in the Modern World) the Church must read the signs of the time and interpret them in the light of the Gospel Decree on Ecumenism talks of restoring Christian unity, rather than a return of fallen-away Christians to Roman Catholicism Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy everyone is encouraged to participate fully in the Eucharist and other Sacraments Constitution on Divine Revelation sacred tradition, sacred scripture and the Church's teaching authority are closely linked together; they come under the action of the Holy Spirit and contribute to salvation

Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation Gaudium et spes (The Church in the Modern World) the Church must read the signs of the time and interpret them in the light of the Gospel Decree on Ecumenism talks of restoring Christian unity, rather than a return of fallen-away Christians to Roman Catholicism Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy everyone is encouraged to participate fully in the Eucharist and other Sacraments Constitution on Divine Revelation sacred tradition, sacred scripture and the Church's teaching authority are closely linked together; they come under the action of the Holy Spirit and contribute to salvation Declaration on Religious Freedom the dignity of the human person and faith demand that everyone should be free from coercion in matters of religious belief and practice

Document Some Key Insights Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) the Church is the whole people of God all Christians are called to holiness; the laity have a special vocation Gaudium et spes (The Church in the Modern World) the Church must read the signs of the time and interpret them in the light of the Gospel Decree on Ecumenism talks of restoring Christian unity, rather than a return of fallen-away Christians to Roman Catholicism Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy everyone is encouraged to participate fully in the Eucharist and other Sacraments Constitution on Divine Revelation sacred tradition, sacred scripture and the Church's teaching authority are closely linked together; they come under the action of the Holy Spirit and contribute to salvation Declaration on Religious Freedom the dignity of the human person and faith demand that everyone should be free from coercion in matters of religious belief and practice Declaration of the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions the Church rejects nothing that is good and true in other religious faiths

Some changes within the Church

Liturgy: Pre-Vatican II Emphasis on sacredness of liturgy as a means of salvation. Care in keeping liturgy uniform. Latin used throughout the world. Priests perform, laity observe.

Liturgy: Pre-Vatican II Post-Vatican II Emphasis on sacredness of liturgy as a means of salvation. Care in keeping liturgy uniform. Latin used throughout the world. Priests perform, laity observe. Many liturgical changes: liturgy as celebration. vernacular languages all participate, allowing for diverse ministries: lay lectors, ministers of the Eucharist, etc.

Ecumenism: Pre-Vatican II Church is the true Church of Jesus- no toleration of error. Catholics were barred from reading works written by Protestant Reformers.

Ecumenism: Pre-Vatican II Post-Vatican II Church is the true Church of Jesus- no toleration of error. Catholics were barred from reading works written by Protestant Reformers. Ecumenical spirit encouraged: freedom of inquiry joint study groups joint prayer services common edition of the Bible respect for dignity of others intercommunion in some cases if allowed by the bishop.

Modern World: Pre-Vatican II Only scholasticism allowed. New learning looked on with suspicion.

Modern World: Pre-Vatican II Post-Vatican II Only scholasticism allowed. New learning looked on with suspicion. More tolerance: for different kinds of learning for dialogue with the modern world for new forms of spirituality.

Leadership models

Pre-Vatican II POPE BISHOPS PRIESTS RELIGIOUS LAITY

Post-Vatican II PRIESTS POPE LAITY BISHOPS RELIGIOUS