Vatican II The Faithful Revolution
Before Vatican II The Churches were packed on Sundays Seminaries were full There were no heresies being taught Vatican II is the only council ever called to face problems that would come later!
Pope John XXIII Pope John XXIII was a compromise candidate. He was a jolly peasant Pope whom everyone liked and wouldn t make waves. Then he called for a Church Council.
Pope John XXIII Pope John XXIII said that he wanted to up date the Church Aggiornamento means to up date We have the answers to the world s problems, but in a language the world cannot understand
Pope John XXIII When asked why he called a Council, John XXIII said that the Holy Spirit made the words fall off my tongue. When the Cardinals and Bishops gathered, John gave them a topic to discuss. The Fathers of the Council discussed and at the end of the first session no documents had been written. John XXIII still thought the Council was a success.
When the 2,500 Bishops gathered at the Council, they were aware for the first time that the Church was Universal. It covered every major area of the globe. At the Council
At the Council Lex orandi Lex Credendi was the topic John XXIII gave the Fathers to Discuss. It means, the Law of prayer is the Law of belief or the Church prays what the Church believes. This simple phrase started a faithful revolution!
Pope John XXIII Dies When Pope John XXIII died, many wondered if the council would or even should continue. The next Pope, Paul VI, said it would.
Pope Paul VI Pope Paul VI said that the Council would continue. He had the skills to get the talking written down on paper. The Council produced 16 Documents.
The Two Popes The two Popes who led the Vatican Council were used by the next two Popes as their Papal names: John Paul I John Paul II
The Documents of Vatican II All 16 Documents were written and published under the guidance of Pope Paul VI. All 16 Documents deal with the Church The Church looking inward--what is Church? The Church looking outward--how do we live as Church in the modern world? There are four major Documents that most clearly present and summarize Vatican II
The Documents of Vatican II
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy This Document was the first produced by the Council. It began the reforms of Vatican II. The Council called for full, active, conscious participation by all the faithful at Mass. All the changes in the Liturgy were made by Bishops who knew only the old Latin Mass.
The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church This is the major document in that it deals with what Church is. Church is the People of God, Hierarchical, Lay, and Marian. The whole Church is called to Holiness, not just those in ministerial roles.
The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation This document spells out how we KNOW God, that is how God reveals himself to us. Revelation is by God, not about God. It is to a people, who hand on their experience of God in tradition and scripture. All scripture points to Jesus who sums up all God Reveals. Through prayer, liturgy and scripture we continue to learn and experience God s self revelation.
The Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World This is the document that deals with how we are to live out our faith as the Body of Christ. We are the light of God s revelation to the world and we share in the joys and sorrows of all humanity. We are the presence of Jesus in the world. John Paul II was one of the principle authors of this document.
The Faithful Revolution Vatican II did not change a single article of the Faith or change any doctrine. Yet the Church took on a whole new approach to the deposit of Faith and the world. The only condemnation was of atomic warfare. The biggest problem the council saw was the separation of faith and everyday life. The three areas where this change can be seen are: Liturgy, Laity, &Ecumenism
Rather than throw out how we worshiped, the Council recalled the older tradition so that the Mass today is more like the Mass in the days of the Apostles. Vatican II--Liturgy
Vatican II--The Liturgy Not everyone is happy with the Second Vatican Council. The group that made this shirt cannot be thrilled with the Mass in English and guitars!
Vatican II--Laity The biggest change for us is that of the Laity. I have a job teaching religion because of Vatican II. We are to take an active part in the Church, not just by praying, paying & obeying but also by helping actively in the administration of the parish, missionary work and most importantly as the part of the Church that is in the Modern World. We do not take the place of priests; we take our rightful place in the Body of Christ.
Vatican II--The Laity Martin Sheen tells the story that when he was being arrested during a protest, a reporter asked if he was a communist. He said that he was far worse than communist, he is a Catholic.
Vatican II--Ecumenism Vatican II changed the way we relate to other Christians and to other religions. The Catholic Church--the Body of Christ--is composed of Catholics, other Christians and all others who are led by God s grace through the dictates of the conscience. All can be saved through Christ and the Church is the Sacrament of Salvation.
Vatican II--Ecumenism Paul VI shocked many bishops when he told observers from other Christian communities that the Church asked their forgiveness if they felt they had been injured by the Church. This continued with John Paul II asking for forgiveness for over 100 different offenses committed by the Catholic Church.
Vatican II--Ecumenism What does this mean for missionaries? We are to remain faithful to Christ by proclaiming the word of God--Life in Christ--to all people, as an invitation. But we cannot try to make them or force them to convert. Conversion is the work of the Spirit. Our task is to be faithful. As humans we are free to accept or reject God s grace in the depths of our hearts. This acceptance or rejection cannot be forced by anyone, but we remain free to abuse our freedom.
Vatican II Vatican II revolutionized the Catholic Church for living in the Modern World It did not change a single doctrine but did changed how we live out this doctrine in the world Vatican II is the Faithful Revolution