Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council

1962-19651962-1965

Why was the council Why was the council convened?convened?

Called by John XXIII, to “open windows and let Called by John XXIII, to “open windows and let in air”in air”

Choice to consult bishops seen as collegial; pope is Choice to consult bishops seen as collegial; pope is “first among equals”, but church as a communal “first among equals”, but church as a communal group acts togethergroup acts together

Involves both return to sources (Involves both return to sources (ressourcementressourcement) and ) and openness to new situations (openness to new situations (aggiornamentoaggiornamento))

Purpose: articulate church’s relation to modern Purpose: articulate church’s relation to modern worldworld

Sees moment as opportunity, not threatSees moment as opportunity, not threat Reads “signs of times” to understand this missionReads “signs of times” to understand this mission Lots of compromises happened; documents reflect Lots of compromises happened; documents reflect

this ambiguity and tension at timesthis ambiguity and tension at times

What was new about the What was new about the council?council?

First truly world Catholic council First truly world Catholic council Also invited orthodox and protestant observersAlso invited orthodox and protestant observers Women not included at first, eventually invited to Women not included at first, eventually invited to

observeobserve Media event; catholics at home could read in Media event; catholics at home could read in

papers and see on TV what was going onpapers and see on TV what was going on Biggest changesBiggest changes

LiturgyLiturgy declaration on human rightsdeclaration on human rights openness to ecumenism and other religionsopenness to ecumenism and other religions emphasis on role of the laityemphasis on role of the laity

How was it conducted?How was it conducted?

4 sessions (fall)4 sessions (fall) Bishops study preliminary documents, then Bishops study preliminary documents, then

debatedebate Bishops argue for greater role than Curia Bishops argue for greater role than Curia

(Vatican offices)(Vatican offices) Documents written by committeeDocuments written by committee

So, often reflect compromises or different points So, often reflect compromises or different points of viewof view

Today: Catholics argue over “spirit of Vatican II” Today: Catholics argue over “spirit of Vatican II” vs. conservative interpretationvs. conservative interpretation

Pre-Vatican II view of Church Pre-Vatican II view of Church (Ott)(Ott) Chapter 1: The Divine Origin of the ChurchChapter 1: The Divine Origin of the Church

The concept ChurchThe concept Church The Foundation of the Church by ChristThe Foundation of the Church by Christ The Purpose of the ChurchThe Purpose of the Church

Chapter 2: The Constitution of the ChurcChapter 2: The Constitution of the Churchh The Hierarchical Constitution of the ChurchThe Hierarchical Constitution of the Church The Primacy of St. PeterThe Primacy of St. Peter The Primacy of Jurisdiction of the PopeThe Primacy of Jurisdiction of the Pope The Nature of the Papal PrimacyThe Nature of the Papal Primacy The Papal Teaching Primacy or the Papal InfallibilityThe Papal Teaching Primacy or the Papal Infallibility The BishopsThe Bishops

Chapter 3: The Internal Constitution of the ChurchChapter 3: The Internal Constitution of the Church Christ and the ChurchChrist and the Church The Holy Ghost and the ChurchThe Holy Ghost and the Church

Chapter 4: The Properties or Essential Attributes of the ChurchChapter 4: The Properties or Essential Attributes of the Church The Indefectibility of the ChurchThe Indefectibility of the Church The Infallibility of the ChurchThe Infallibility of the Church The Visibility of the ChurchThe Visibility of the Church The Unity of the ChurchThe Unity of the Church The Sanctity of the ChurchThe Sanctity of the Church The Catholicity of the ChurchThe Catholicity of the Church The Apostolicity of the ChurchThe Apostolicity of the Church

Chapter 5: The Necessity of the ChurcChapter 5: The Necessity of the Churchh Membership of the ChurchMembership of the Church The Necessity for Membership of the ChurchThe Necessity for Membership of the Church