Gaudium et SpesGaudium et Spes

The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World

The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World

Outline of PresentationOutline of Presentation

1. Background Context of the document

2. Story of the doc’s drafting3. Structure of final draft4. Significant Shifts and Innovations5. Compromises and Weaknesses6. Remaining Issues for the Church7. The Enduring Symbolic Value of GS

1. Background Context of the document

2. Story of the doc’s drafting3. Structure of final draft4. Significant Shifts and Innovations5. Compromises and Weaknesses6. Remaining Issues for the Church7. The Enduring Symbolic Value of GS

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General RemarksGeneral Remarks

not among the preparatory documents for the council

emerged from the floor of the councilby far the longest of the sixteen

documentsthe only document published with

subtitles

not among the preparatory documents for the council

emerged from the floor of the councilby far the longest of the sixteen

documentsthe only document published with

subtitles

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promulgated the very last working day of the Council

addressed to all humanity (not just to Catholics, or Christians)

came to be symbolic of the Council’s “style”dialogiccollaborativeparticipative

promulgated the very last working day of the Council

addressed to all humanity (not just to Catholics, or Christians)

came to be symbolic of the Council’s “style”dialogiccollaborativeparticipative

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Previous Social Teaching Encyclicals

Previous Social Teaching Encyclicals

from Rerum Novarum (1891) to Pacem in Terris (1963)using a “deductive” methodology, these

documents attempted to ground social teaching on the prior foundation of a philosophical and theological anthropologycouched in the categories of Scholastic

Theologyappealed to “natural law”

GS will come to use a more “inductive” method (but with elements of the old)

from Rerum Novarum (1891) to Pacem in Terris (1963)using a “deductive” methodology, these

documents attempted to ground social teaching on the prior foundation of a philosophical and theological anthropologycouched in the categories of Scholastic

Theologyappealed to “natural law”

GS will come to use a more “inductive” method (but with elements of the old)5

History of the DraftingHistory of the Drafting

at the very end of the first session (4 Dec 1962), a plan for the Council’s program was proposed by Cardinal Josef Suenensa focus not only on the church “ad

intra” (the internal life of the church)but also on the church “ad extra” (the

church and its mission in the world)

at the very end of the first session (4 Dec 1962), a plan for the Council’s program was proposed by Cardinal Josef Suenensa focus not only on the church “ad

intra” (the internal life of the church)but also on the church “ad extra” (the

church and its mission in the world)

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History (cont’d)History (cont’d)

the long list of topics for the council’s discussion was then revised and reduced according to this plan

no. 17 on the list was “Schema XVII”

later became “Schema XIII”then finally “Gaudium et Spes”

the long list of topics for the council’s discussion was then revised and reduced according to this plan

no. 17 on the list was “Schema XVII”

later became “Schema XIII”then finally “Gaudium et Spes”

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“Ad intra” / “Ad extra” Distinction

“Ad intra” / “Ad extra” Distinction

While this distinction was helpful for dividing up the workload of the Council,

it can be a misleading distinctionIF it is taken to mean that “church” and

“world” are like oil and waterThis issue of how to best name the

relationship plagues the whole debateand remains somewhat unresolved in GSThe world is not something apart from

the church, nor the church from the world

While this distinction was helpful for dividing up the workload of the Council,

it can be a misleading distinctionIF it is taken to mean that “church” and

“world” are like oil and waterThis issue of how to best name the

relationship plagues the whole debateand remains somewhat unresolved in GSThe world is not something apart from

the church, nor the church from the world8

The Drafting CommissionThe Drafting Commission

A “Mixed Commission”drawn from members of the

Doctrinal CommissionCommission for the Lay Apostolate

but various sub-commissions were set up to deal with the many sections

A “Mixed Commission”drawn from members of the

Doctrinal CommissionCommission for the Lay Apostolate

but various sub-commissions were set up to deal with the many sections

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the various drafts were prepared in French, and then translated into Latin

fourth session: translations provided in the major European languages (first time)

the various drafts were prepared in French, and then translated into Latin

fourth session: translations provided in the major European languages (first time)

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Theological tensionsTheological tensions

a significant influence of the French-speaking theologiansChenu, Congar

tension with the theological vision of the German-speaking theologians Rahner, Ratzinger

a significant influence of the French-speaking theologiansChenu, Congar

tension with the theological vision of the German-speaking theologians Rahner, Ratzinger

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Structure of the final version

Structure of the final version

Preface and Introduction (1-3; 4-10) Part 1: The Church and the Human Vocation

Introduction: Responding to the Promptings of the Spirit (11)

Chapter 1: The Dignity of the Human Person Chapter 2: The Human Community Chapter 3: Humanity’s Activity in the Universe Chapter 4: Role of the Church in Today’s World

Preface and Introduction (1-3; 4-10) Part 1: The Church and the Human Vocation

Introduction: Responding to the Promptings of the Spirit (11)

Chapter 1: The Dignity of the Human Person Chapter 2: The Human Community Chapter 3: Humanity’s Activity in the Universe Chapter 4: Role of the Church in Today’s World

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Structure (cont’d)Structure (cont’d) Part 2: Some More Urgent Problems

Preface (46) Chapter 1: The Dignity of Marriage and the Family

(47-52) Chapter 2: Proper Development of Culture (53-62) Chapter 3: Economic and Social Life (63-72) Chapter 4: The Political Community (73-76) Chapter 5: Fostering Peace and Establishment of a

Community of Nations (77-90)

Conclusion: Role of Individual Christians and of Local Churches (91-93)

Part 2: Some More Urgent Problems Preface (46) Chapter 1: The Dignity of Marriage and the Family

(47-52) Chapter 2: Proper Development of Culture (53-62) Chapter 3: Economic and Social Life (63-72) Chapter 4: The Political Community (73-76) Chapter 5: Fostering Peace and Establishment of a

Community of Nations (77-90)

Conclusion: Role of Individual Christians and of Local Churches (91-93)

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A “Pastoral” ConstitutionA “Pastoral” ConstitutionJohn XXIII’s original desire that the

Council have a “pastoral” focusSpecial footnote on the significance of

title:“The constitution is called ‘pastoral’ because, while

resting on doctrinal principles, it sets out the relation of the church to the world and to the people of today. In Part I, therefore, the pastoral emphasis is not overlooked, nor is the doctrinal emphasis overlooked in Part II.”

The “doctrinal” principles (Part 1) and the “pastoral” applications (Part 2) are intertwined

John XXIII’s original desire that the Council have a “pastoral” focus

Special footnote on the significance of title:“The constitution is called ‘pastoral’ because, while

resting on doctrinal principles, it sets out the relation of the church to the world and to the people of today. In Part I, therefore, the pastoral emphasis is not overlooked, nor is the doctrinal emphasis overlooked in Part II.”

The “doctrinal” principles (Part 1) and the “pastoral” applications (Part 2) are intertwined

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Four Interrelated Levels of Doctrine

Four Interrelated Levels of Doctrine

1. Anthropologythe “nature” of the human personGS, 3: “It is the human person, therefore,

which is the key to this discussion, each individual human person in here of his totality, body and soul, heart and conscience, mind and will.”

2. Christian Ethics in Contemporary Societythe nature of moral human action

1. Anthropologythe “nature” of the human personGS, 3: “It is the human person, therefore,

which is the key to this discussion, each individual human person in here of his totality, body and soul, heart and conscience, mind and will.”

2. Christian Ethics in Contemporary Societythe nature of moral human action

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3. Ecclesiologythe nature and mission of the church

GS, 3: “The church is not motivated by earthly ambition but is interested in one thing only – to carry on the work of Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

Gaudium et Spes as complement to Lumen Gentium

3. Ecclesiologythe nature and mission of the church

GS, 3: “The church is not motivated by earthly ambition but is interested in one thing only – to carry on the work of Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

Gaudium et Spes as complement to Lumen Gentium

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4. Christologythe human and divine natures of Christany teaching on the nature of the

human person is to be grounded in teaching about Christ as the model for human personhood

GS, 10: “The church believes that the key, the centre and the purpose of the whole of human history is to be found in its Lord and Master.”

4. Christologythe human and divine natures of Christany teaching on the nature of the

human person is to be grounded in teaching about Christ as the model for human personhood

GS, 10: “The church believes that the key, the centre and the purpose of the whole of human history is to be found in its Lord and Master.”

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Interrelated Leitmotifs Interrelated Leitmotifs

“solidarity”“dialogue”“reading the signs of the times”

“solidarity”“dialogue”“reading the signs of the times”

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“Solidarity”“Solidarity”GS, 1: “The joys and hopes, the grief and

anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community of people united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit in their pilgrimage towards the Father’s kingdom, bearers of a message of salvation for all humanity. That is why they cherish a feeling of deep solidarity with the human race and its history.”

GS, 1: “The joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community of people united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit in their pilgrimage towards the Father’s kingdom, bearers of a message of salvation for all humanity. That is why they cherish a feeling of deep solidarity with the human race and its history.”

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“Dialogue”“Dialogue”

the motif of the divine-human dialogue

the motif of church’s “dialogue with the world”

a church open to learning (GS 44)

the motif of the divine-human dialogue

the motif of church’s “dialogue with the world”

a church open to learning (GS 44)

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Paul VI and the Dialogue motif

Paul VI and the Dialogue motif

Encyclical Ecclesiam Suam6 August 1964 (during the third

session)the influence of “personalist”

philosophiesGabriel MarcelMartin Buber

Encyclical Ecclesiam Suam6 August 1964 (during the third

session)the influence of “personalist”

philosophiesGabriel MarcelMartin Buber

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GS, 3GS, 3

“And so the council… can find no more eloquent expression of this people’s solidarity, respect and love for the whole human family, of which it forms a part, than to enter into dialogue with it about all these various problems, throwing the light of the Gospel on them and supplying humanity with the saving resources which the church has received from its founder under the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

“And so the council… can find no more eloquent expression of this people’s solidarity, respect and love for the whole human family, of which it forms a part, than to enter into dialogue with it about all these various problems, throwing the light of the Gospel on them and supplying humanity with the saving resources which the church has received from its founder under the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

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GS 92GS 92

Four concentric circles of dialoguedialogue within the church itselfdialogue with other Christiansdialogue with other religious believers dialogue with non-believers

Four concentric circles of dialoguedialogue within the church itselfdialogue with other Christiansdialogue with other religious believers dialogue with non-believers

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Reading “the signs of the times”

Reading “the signs of the times”

starting with contemporary context (inductive method)

attentiveness to the God of historyGS 4GS 11GS 44

starting with contemporary context (inductive method)

attentiveness to the God of historyGS 4GS 11GS 44

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GS 4GS 4 “To discharge this function [with the guidance of

the Paraclete Spirit, to continue the work of Christ (GS, 3)], the church has the duty in every age of examining the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the gospel, so that it can offer in a manner appropriate to each generation replies to the continual human questionings on the meaning of this life and the life to come and on how they are related. There is a need, then, to be aware of, and to understand, the world in which we live, together with its expectations, its desires and its frequently dramatic character.”

“To discharge this function [with the guidance of the Paraclete Spirit, to continue the work of Christ (GS, 3)], the church has the duty in every age of examining the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the gospel, so that it can offer in a manner appropriate to each generation replies to the continual human questionings on the meaning of this life and the life to come and on how they are related. There is a need, then, to be aware of, and to understand, the world in which we live, together with its expectations, its desires and its frequently dramatic character.”

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GS 11GS 11 “Impelled by its belief that it is being led by

the Spirit of the Lord who fills the whole earth, God’s people works to discern the true signs of God’s presence and purpose in the events, needs and desires which it shares with the rest of modern humanity. It is faith which shows everything in a new light and clarifies God’s purpose in his complete calling of the human race, thus pointing the mind towards solutions which are fully human…

“Impelled by its belief that it is being led by the Spirit of the Lord who fills the whole earth, God’s people works to discern the true signs of God’s presence and purpose in the events, needs and desires which it shares with the rest of modern humanity. It is faith which shows everything in a new light and clarifies God’s purpose in his complete calling of the human race, thus pointing the mind towards solutions which are fully human…

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GS 11 (cont’d)GS 11 (cont’d) … The council’s first aim is to subject the

values most highly regarded today to this light and to relate them to their divine source, since these values are very good insofar as they proceed from the God-given character of the human person, but are in need of purification from the distortion they often receive from the corruption of the human heart…

… The council’s first aim is to subject the values most highly regarded today to this light and to relate them to their divine source, since these values are very good insofar as they proceed from the God-given character of the human person, but are in need of purification from the distortion they often receive from the corruption of the human heart…

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GS 11 (cont’d)GS 11 (cont’d) … What is the church’s view of woman and

man? What does it consider is to be commended in constructing today’s society? What is the ultimate significance of human activity in the world as a whole? These questions require answers which will show more clearly that the people of God and the human race of which it is a part are of service to each other, and that the church’s mission is seen to be a religious one and by that very fact an outstandingly human one.”

… What is the church’s view of woman and man? What does it consider is to be commended in constructing today’s society? What is the ultimate significance of human activity in the world as a whole? These questions require answers which will show more clearly that the people of God and the human race of which it is a part are of service to each other, and that the church’s mission is seen to be a religious one and by that very fact an outstandingly human one.”

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GS 44GS 44

“It is for God’s people as a whole, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and especially for pastors and theologians, to listen to the various voices of our day, discerning them and interpreting them, and to evaluate them in the light of the divine word, so that the revealed truth can be increasingly appropriated, better understood and more suitably expressed.”

“It is for God’s people as a whole, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and especially for pastors and theologians, to listen to the various voices of our day, discerning them and interpreting them, and to evaluate them in the light of the divine word, so that the revealed truth can be increasingly appropriated, better understood and more suitably expressed.”

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GS 62GS 62 meaning/expression of doctrine “evaluating and interpreting everything with an

authentically Christian sense of values” “it is hoped that more of the laity will receive

adequate theological formation and that some of them will dedicate themselves professionally to these studies and contribute to their advancement. But for the proper exercise of this role, the faithful, both clerical and lay, should be accorded a lawful freedom of inquiry, of thought, and of expression, tempered by humility and courage in whatever branch of study they have specialized.”

meaning/expression of doctrine “evaluating and interpreting everything with an

authentically Christian sense of values” “it is hoped that more of the laity will receive

adequate theological formation and that some of them will dedicate themselves professionally to these studies and contribute to their advancement. But for the proper exercise of this role, the faithful, both clerical and lay, should be accorded a lawful freedom of inquiry, of thought, and of expression, tempered by humility and courage in whatever branch of study they have specialized.”

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Three Major InnovationsThree Major Innovations

1. primarily a Biblical vision2. an increased historical awareness3. a relating of the Church’s mission

and its social vision

1. primarily a Biblical vision2. an increased historical awareness3. a relating of the Church’s mission

and its social vision

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1. A Biblical Vision1. A Biblical Vision

a biblical vision more than “natural law”

an appeal to revelation and secondarily an appeal to the

order that God has inscribed in human nature

a biblical vision more than “natural law”

an appeal to revelation and secondarily an appeal to the

order that God has inscribed in human nature

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2. Historical Awareness2. Historical AwarenessDeductive methodology

from general unchanging principles to their applicationfrom abstract natural law to concrete new

situations

the rise of “historical consciousness” (19-20th centuries)an appreciation of the changing historical

conditions of social, cultural and political spheres

all elements of the human situation are conditioned by history

Deductive methodologyfrom general unchanging principles to their

applicationfrom abstract natural law to concrete new

situations

the rise of “historical consciousness” (19-20th centuries)an appreciation of the changing historical

conditions of social, cultural and political spheres

all elements of the human situation are conditioned by history

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Inductive methodologyInductive methodologyfrom an examination of the concrete

situation to the application of the Gospel in that situation

What are the features problems of the contemporary world that require solutions?GS 5: “The human race is moving from a

more static view of things to one which is more dynamic and evolutionary, giving rise to new combinations of problems which call for new analyses and syntheses.”

an emerging methodology of the council

from an examination of the concrete situation to the application of the Gospel in that situation

What are the features problems of the contemporary world that require solutions?GS 5: “The human race is moving from a

more static view of things to one which is more dynamic and evolutionary, giving rise to new combinations of problems which call for new analyses and syntheses.”

an emerging methodology of the council34

3. Relating the Church’s mission and its social

vision

3. Relating the Church’s mission and its social

visionLumen Gentium: the church “ad intra” looking “to within”what is the nature of the church?

Gaudium et Spes: the church “ad extra”looking “to outside”given the nature of the church, what

is the mission of the church?

Lumen Gentium: the church “ad intra” looking “to within”what is the nature of the church?

Gaudium et Spes: the church “ad extra”looking “to outside”given the nature of the church, what

is the mission of the church?35

The Mission of the ChurchThe Mission of the Church

“the religious mission” of the churchto proclaim and to realize the Reign of

GodThe Reign of God is to permeate all

aspects of human life and societyShift: from church as an end in itself

to church as a servant of the Reign of God

“the religious mission” of the churchto proclaim and to realize the Reign of

GodThe Reign of God is to permeate all

aspects of human life and societyShift: from church as an end in itself

to church as a servant of the Reign of God

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GS, 40-42GS, 40-42

Part One, Chapter IVsummary of the basis of the

church’s social mission

Part One, Chapter IVsummary of the basis of the

church’s social mission

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Four Specific Tasksof the Church’s Proper

Mission

Four Specific Tasksof the Church’s Proper

Missionto defend human dignityto promote human rightsto cultivate the unity of the human

familyto make clear the meaning of

human life

to defend human dignityto promote human rightsto cultivate the unity of the human

familyto make clear the meaning of

human life

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Relation of the Church to the Reign of God

Relation of the Church to the Reign of God

the church is not equivalent to the Reign of God

related, however, in two waysthe Reign of God transcends every political

authoritytherefore, the religious mission is to critique

political ideologythe Reign of God relates to diverse

dimensions of social and economic realitytherefore, the religious mission is related to the

right ordering of the social and economic order

the church is not equivalent to the Reign of God

related, however, in two waysthe Reign of God transcends every political

authoritytherefore, the religious mission is to critique

political ideologythe Reign of God relates to diverse

dimensions of social and economic realitytherefore, the religious mission is related to the

right ordering of the social and economic order

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Summary of Shifts in Church Teaching

Summary of Shifts in Church Teaching

Methodology from deductive to inductive

Historical Consciousness from “ahistorical” to an historical

approach

Methodology from deductive to inductive

Historical Consciousness from “ahistorical” to an historical

approach

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Evolutionary not static view of reality GS, 5: “The human race is moving from a

more static view of things to one which is more dynamic and evolutionary, giving rise to new combinations of problems which call for new analyses and syntheses.”

Modernity From rejection of modernity to

engagement with its strengths

Evolutionary not static view of reality GS, 5: “The human race is moving from a

more static view of things to one which is more dynamic and evolutionary, giving rise to new combinations of problems which call for new analyses and syntheses.”

Modernity From rejection of modernity to

engagement with its strengths

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Shifts (cont’d)Shifts (cont’d)

The “world” from the world as Godless to the world

as the place of God’s redeeming activity Natural Law

parallel to the inductive/more historical approach

Notion of the human person a move away from an eternal “nature”

of the human person, to one historically situated

The “world” from the world as Godless to the world

as the place of God’s redeeming activity Natural Law

parallel to the inductive/more historical approach

Notion of the human person a move away from an eternal “nature”

of the human person, to one historically situated

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Church and State from achieving “Christendom” to the

Church as leaven, as prophetic witness

Conscience War

Church and State from achieving “Christendom” to the

Church as leaven, as prophetic witness

Conscience War

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Marriage: from “contract” to “covenant”previous legalistic framework

contract

shift to a personalist frameworkintimate partnership and covenant

the “ends” of marriagenot only reproduction and the rearing of

childrenalso conjugal love

Marriage: from “contract” to “covenant”previous legalistic framework

contract

shift to a personalist frameworkintimate partnership and covenant

the “ends” of marriagenot only reproduction and the rearing of

childrenalso conjugal love

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Other Docs the social mission

Other Docs the social mission

(1) Decree on LaityLaity have a twofold role

to work for evangelizationto renew the temporal order

PresuppositionChrist’s work of redemption is primarily related to

the salvation of the human beingbut involves “the renewal of the whole temporal

order” (AA, 5-7)a shift in the theology of grace: from

extrinsic to intrinsic

(1) Decree on LaityLaity have a twofold role

to work for evangelizationto renew the temporal order

PresuppositionChrist’s work of redemption is primarily related to

the salvation of the human beingbut involves “the renewal of the whole temporal

order” (AA, 5-7)a shift in the theology of grace: from

extrinsic to intrinsic

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(2) Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activityto work for Christ’s redemption includes

“the right ordering of social and economic affairs”

the church’s missionary activity involves collaborating with all peoples for eliminating hunger, disease, ignorancefor establishing peace and justice and “human”

working conditions for workers (AG, 12)

(2) Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activityto work for Christ’s redemption includes

“the right ordering of social and economic affairs”

the church’s missionary activity involves collaborating with all peoples for eliminating hunger, disease, ignorancefor establishing peace and justice and “human”

working conditions for workers (AG, 12)

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Some Weaknesses and Open Questions

Some Weaknesses and Open Questions

overly optimistic about “progress”too “60s”not enough emphasis on evil and the

effects of original sinecological crisis not mentioned

in fact, a perpetuation of some of the mentality causing it

overly optimistic about “progress”too “60s”not enough emphasis on evil and the

effects of original sinecological crisis not mentioned

in fact, a perpetuation of some of the mentality causing it

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“Little attention is given in the document to environmental pollution, the depletion of non-renewable resources, and general environmental exploitation. The council fathers’ language concerning nature and the relation of humankind to nature is rather disturbing. Humanity should “consolidate its control over creation” (9), “subject to himself the earth and all that it contains” (34), “subdue the earth” (57), and hold “increasing domination over nature” (63)… The council fathers seem oblivious both to the environmental problems already evident in the world and the impact of framing the human/nature relationship in terms of domination.” (Lois Ann Lorentzen)

“Little attention is given in the document to environmental pollution, the depletion of non-renewable resources, and general environmental exploitation. The council fathers’ language concerning nature and the relation of humankind to nature is rather disturbing. Humanity should “consolidate its control over creation” (9), “subject to himself the earth and all that it contains” (34), “subdue the earth” (57), and hold “increasing domination over nature” (63)… The council fathers seem oblivious both to the environmental problems already evident in the world and the impact of framing the human/nature relationship in terms of domination.” (Lois Ann Lorentzen)

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Issues taken off the agenda by Paul VI

Issues taken off the agenda by Paul VI

divorcemixed marriagesbirth control

divorcemixed marriagesbirth control

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