ENCYCLICALS Circular letter Addresses Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops Addresses Bishops of the Universal Church Addresses matters that affect the welfare of the church at large Documents that are written in order to address and speak to the needs of the times, such as, Vatican II documents

EXAMPLES GAUDIEM ET SPES- THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD PACEM IN TERRIS- PEACE ON EARTH POPULORUM PROGRESSIO- THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLES HUMANAE VITAE- OF HUMAN LIFE

How Not to Read Encyclicals 1.They are not an exercise in speed reading 2.They are not just to be read 3.Reading it once is not enough

How to Read Encyclicals 1.Have a Bible and a dictionary on hand 2.They are to be studied 3.They have been written for the Universal Church 4.For the first time reader: a. use them for Spiritual reading b. meditate on them c. check out the Scriptural references

PASTORAL LETTERS Open letter addressed by a Bishop to the Clergy or Laity of his Diocese Contains either general admonition, instruction, consolation Directions for behavior in particular circumstances Sent out regularly at particular ecclesiastical seasons such as Fasts (Advent or Lent) Often called a Pastoral

EXAMPLES PASTORAL STATEMENT OF U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NOV. 16, 1978 PASTORAL STATEMENT FOR CATHOLICS ON BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM – NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS AD HOC COMMITTEE ON BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM

VATICAN II DOCUMENTS THERE ARE 16 DOCUMENTS : 4 CONSTITUTIONS :THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE DOCUMENTS DEI VERBUM- DIVINE REVELATION LUMEN GENTIUM- CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH GAUDIUM ET SPES- CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM- SACRED LITURGY

NINE DECREES INTER MIRIFICA- MEANS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION ORIENTALIUM ECCLESIARUM- CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF THE EASTERN RITE UNITATIS REDINTEGRATIO- ECUMENISM CHRISTUS DOMINUS- PASTORAL OFFICE OF BISHOPS IN TH CHURCH PERFECTAE CARITATIS- RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS LIFE OPTATUM TOTIUS- PRIESTLY TRAINING APOSTOLICAM ACTUOSITATEM- APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY AD GENTES- MISSION ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH PRESBYTERORUM ORDINIS- MINISTRY AND LIFE OF PRIESTS

THREE DECLARATIONS GRAVISSIMUM EDUCATIONIS- CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NOSTRA AETATE- RELATION OF THE CHURCH TO NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS DIGNITATIS HUMANAE- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

LUMEN GENTIUM “LIGHT OF THE NATIONS” SECULAR FRANCISCANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ LUMEN GENTIUM ALSO CALLED “DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH” FR. BENET A. FONCK, OFM RECOMMENDS THIS DOCUMENT IN HIS FORMATION BOOK “FULLY MATURE WITH THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST” ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II

CHAPTERS OF LUMEN GENTIUM 1) THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH Describes how the church flows out of the life of the Trinity. Offers a variety of Biblical images for the church. The church is like a sheepfold, farm, field, building, God’s Temple etc. 2) ON THE PEOPLE OF GOD It was favored over the more abstract view of the church as the mystical body of Christ The threefold work of Christ as priest, prophet and king illuminates the work of the whole people of God

CHAPTERS OF LUMEN GENTIUM 3) HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH The most hotly debated issue in this document was the issue of collegiality. Emphasized the particular church (diocese) and the role of the Bishop Restores the diaconate as a permanent order in the church and opens it up to married men 4) LAITY Members of the faithful that are not in holy orders or religious life Secular characteristic “ it is the special vocation of the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will. lay people typically work in the world, raise families, and hold secular jobs.

CHAPTERS OF LUMEN GENTIUM 5) THE UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS IN THE CHURCH This is for all peoples and love is the way we respond to this call 6) RELIGIOUS Members of religious orders embrace these ideals in a public and permanent way. They are a sign to the world,a witness that inspires the whole church to holiness

CHAPTERS OF LUMEN GENTIUM 7) THE PILGRIM CHURCH Eschatological nature of the church We are a pilgrim people, still on the way to the reign of God 8) OUR LADY Mary is a big part of Christ’s work in salvation Mary also is one of the first disciples

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS? 1) WHAT IMAGES OF THE CHURCH RESONATE WITH YOU? WHY? 2) ARE YOU DRAWN MORE TO THE MODEL OF THE CHURCH AS PEOPLE OF GOD OR CHURCH AS COMMUNION? 3)WHAT TEACHINGS DO YOU SEE AS ESSENTIAL TO THE FAITH? 4) WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF CHURCH LIFE IN YOUR OWN PARISH OR DIOCESE THAT CALL FOR GREATER COLLABORATION?