Theo – The Church and its Encounter with the Modern Second Vatican Council

World - Initiated by Pope John XXIII on January 25,1959

- Envisioned a Church that adapts to the signs of the times’ and
makes the message of Christ relevant to modern men and
Missionary
women in their daily life and life decision
- a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism
- Curia (Papal Bureaucracy): the one who wants to control and
or other activities, as educational or hospital work
manipulate the process and outcome of the council for fear that
- a person strongly in favor of a program, set of principles, etc.,
sacred tradition and the Catholic faith might be destroyed or
who attempts to persuade or convert others. a person who is
distorted
sent on a mission
- Greatest number of delegates 2600 bishops from all over the
- 15th-16th century: the time when the Church was gifted both
world and the additional participation of theologians and expert
with the era of exploration & discovery of new land and at the
- Greatly represented in terms of nations and cultures, wherein
same time, people who welcomed to be evangelized, to be
bishops and participants from various countries like South &
baptized and to be converted to Christian faith
North America, Asia, Africa, Central America and Oceania
Missionary Expansion
attended the council
- Philippine stood as a witness in the history of the Spanish
- This priests and bishops were non-Europeans, native citizens
colonization and religious evangelization in the 16th century
from missionary areas representing their place and culture of
- The historic arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Limasawa Island
origin
where Raja Humabon and his men accepted the Christian faith
- It was the first council to include the presence of non-Catholics,
- While the Spanish and the Portuguese hastened to conquer
lay participants as guests and observers of the council
lands and exploited the resources of their colonies, the Christian
- It was the first to utilize the gift of modern means of
missionaries toiled to deliver the message of Christ to all men
communication and transportation
- There were times that Christian missionaries were opposed
- It emphasized promotion of peace and unity among nations,
and rejected
not the usual pattern in an ecumenical council which usually
- On the other hand, there also numerous occasions that they
focused on the condemnation of heretics, or the formulation of
were welcomed and accepted by their community of mission
doctrines
- St. Francis Xavier served an exemplar of missionary fervor
- After seeing the horror of war and its divisive consequences on
- Christian mission spread from the West to the East and
peoples and their nations, Pope John XXIII initiated Vatican II on
missionaries became new heroes of the faith by their dedication
January 25, 1959
to Christ
- He saw the need of restoring and promoting unity among
- Saint Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila: the first Filipino saint, was
nations Catholic and non-Catholics alike
among those Christian missionaries who were martyred for their
- He also envisioned a Church that adapts (aggiornamento,
faith
updating) to the signs of times and makes the message of
Reconsideration of Science as an Alternative Source of
Christ relevant to modern men and women in their daily life
Truth
and life decision
- The context of time favored that Church to be sole guarantor of
- He sincerely believed that the church is always in need of
the truth in matters pertaining to religious and even to scientific
reform (ecclesia semper reformanda)
- Culture initiated by science was distorted by some men who
- As a result, great work was laid upon the council
elevated human reason as the sole measure of truth against the
- Those who where in attendance labored to align their work
exercise of authority given by the Catholic Church during the
within the objectives set by the Holy Father at the start of the
age of the Enlightenment
council
Enlightenment
- But opposition was always there
- “application of human reason” in all human affairs and concerns
- There were minority members of the Curia who wanted to
in the pursuit of “ knowledge, freedom, and happiness”
control and manipulate the process and outcome of the
- Theories gained wider acceptance, this put a shadow of doubt
council for the fear that sacred tradition and the Catholic faith
on the Church credibility in matters pertaining to science and
might be destroyed or distorted
encouraged people to exaggerate the role of reason as the sole
Vatican II Documents
determinant of the truth in human affairs
- Episcopal Consensus, enabling every participant to raise his
First Vatican Council
own opinion during the deliberation of the council documents
- Led by Pope Pius IX to deal with contemporary problems
- The great outcome of the council is better appreciated through
- Rising influence of rationalism, liberalism & materialism
the essential and relevant documents it produced from 1963-
- “existence of God who could be attained by reason”
1965
- Affirmation on how reason and faith complement each other
Let us cite such doc. & at the same time integrating the
- The pursuit of the truth and the highest good;
presentation by Richard McBrien& Jean Comby
- Its declaration concerning “papal primacy and infallibility”,
- constitutions: Documents that deal with doctrinal matters
whereby the pope is preserved free from error when he teaches
which pertain to the very essence, or “constitution” of the Church
definitely that a doctrine concerning faith or morals is to believed
- Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
by the whole church
- (Lumen Gentium)
Papal Infallibility
- Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
- In Roman Catholic Theology, the doctrine that the pope, acting
- (Gaudium et Spes)
as the supreme teacher and under certain conditions, cannot err
- Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
when he teaches in matters of faith or morals
- (Dei Verbum)
- This doctrine is based on the belief that the church has been
- Constitution on Sacred Liturgy
entrusted with the teaching mission of Jesus Christ and that, in
- (Sancrosanctum Concilium)
view of this mandate from Christ, it will remain faithful to that
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: Lumen Gentium
teaching through the assistance of the Holy Spirit
- Solemnly Promulgated by his Holiness Pope Paul VI, Nov. 21,
- The doctrine that the grace promised to the church assures its
1964
perseverance until the end of time
- Latin for “Light of the Nations” ▪ Magnified the authority, identify
and the mission of the Church, as well as the duty of the faithful IV. The Old Testament
- Describe as one of the greatest achievements of the council V. The New Testament
because it places its central concern on the Church as a whole VI. Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church
- Contents: Constitution on Sacred Liturgy (Sancrosanctum Concilium)
I. The Mystery of the Church - Solemnly Promulgated by his Holiness Pope Paul VI,
II. On the People of God December 4, 1963
III. On the Hierarchical Structure of the Church and in - Latin for “Sacred Council”
particular on the Episcopate - The constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
IV. The Laity - The main aim was to achieve greater lay participation in the
V. The Universal call to Holiness in the Church Catholic Church’s liturgy
VI. Religious - Contents:
VII. The Eschatological Nature of the Pilgrim Church & its Introduction
Union with the Church in Heaven I. General Principles for the Restoration and Promotion of
VIII. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God in the Mystery of Sacred Liturgy
Christ and the Church The Nature of the Sacred Liturgy and its Importance in the
i. Introduction Church’s life
ii. Role of Virgin Mary in the Economy of Salvation The Promotion of Liturgical Instruction & Active Participation
iii. On the Blessed Virgin in the Church The Reform of the Sacred Liturgy
iv. The Cult of the Blessed Virgin in the Church II. The Most Sacred Mystery of the Eucharist
v. Mary the sign of created hope and solace to the III. The Other Sacraments & Sacramentals
wandering people of God IV. The Divine Office
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: V. The Liturgical Year
Gaudium et Spes VI. Sacred Music
- Solemnly Promulgated by his Holiness Pope Paul VI, VII. Sacred Art & Sacred Furnishing
December 7, 1965 Appendix: A Declaration of the Second Ecumenical Council
- “Joy & Hope” of the Vatican on Revision of the Calendar
- Contents: Decrees: It is an official order issued by legal authority
- Preface - Texts which appeared as the application of principles laid down
- Introductory Statement the Situation of Men in the Modern by the constitution
World Decree on Priestly Ministry
- Part I:The Church & Man’s Calling - (Optatam Totius): There must be a closer connection
I. Dignity of the Human Person between Seminary training and pastoral situation
II.The Community of Mankind Decree on Eastern Catholic Churches
III. Man’s activity throughout the World - (Orientalium Ecclesiarum): The Easter Catholic Churches
IV. The Role of the Church in the Modern World can be a bridge to the Orthodox East
- Part II: Some Problems of Special Urgency - The integrity of Eastern tradition of Liturgy, Spirituality and
I. Fostering the Nobility of Marriage & Family discipline is to be restored
II.The Development of Culture Decree on the Bishop’s Pastoral Office
Section 1: The Circumstances of Culture in the World - (Christus Dominus): Bishops are the pastors of their own
Today local Churches and collaborate other bishops through
Section 2: Some Principles for the Proper episcopal conferences with the pope and all other bishops
Development of Culture - Authority is always for the service
Section 3: Some More Urgent Duties of Christians in Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity
Regard to Culture - (Ad Gentes): The Gospel is to be preached also and always
III. Economic & Social Life to non-Christians, but not as a culturally alien reality
Economic Development - Evangelization is an obligation for every member of the
Certain Principles Governing Socio-Economic Life as a Church
Whole Decree on the Appropriate Renewal of Religious Life
IV.The Life of the Political Community - (Perfectae Caritatis): The renewal of Religious life (a life
V. The Fostering of Peace and the Promotion of a lived according to the evangelical councils of poverty, chastity
Community of Nations and obedience), must be based on the Gospel, the original
The Avoidance of War purposes of the community and the changed conditions of the
Setting up and International Community times
Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation: Dei Verbum Decree on the Instruments of Social Communication
- Solemnly Promulgated by his Holiness Pope Paul VI, Nov. 18, - (Inter Mirifica): The Church must be vigilant towards the
1965 media because of the ever present danger of their abuse, but
- Latin for “Word of God” must also use the media where opportune
- It entails to life lessons and proves to people who read the Decree on Ecumenism
stories to trust God - (Unitatis Redintegratio): Christian unity is a matter of
- The Church in itself, its sole salvific roles as the one, true and restoration, not a return to Rome, other Christian communities
complete Christian Faith, also in relation to ecumenism among are churches within the body of Christ; and both sides where
other religions, in relation to the modern world, renewal of to blame for the division of the Church
consecrated life, liturgical disciplines Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priest
- Contents: - (Presbyterorum Ordinis): Priests are members of a
Preface presbytery in union with a bishop and with him serve the
I. Revelation Itself building up of Christ’s body
II. Handing on Divine Revelation Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity
III. Sacred Scripture, Its Inspiration and Divine Interpretation (Apostolicam Actuositatem): The laity participates in the
 mission of the Church
Declaration
- Principles and guidelines expressing the thought of the Church
Declaration on Non-Christian Religions
- (Nostra Aetate): God speaks also through other religion, so
we should engage in dialogue and other collaborative efforts
with them
Declaration on Religious Freedom
- (Dignitatis Humanae): No one is to be forced in any way to
embrace the Christian or the Catholic Faith
This principle is rooted in human dignity and the freedom of
the act of faith
Declaration on Christian Education
- (Gravissimum Educationis): Education must be broadly
humane and up-to-date, with a concern for personal maturity
& social responsibility
Conclusion
- Even with the disagreement on certain scientific finding, the
condemnation against secularism and atheism and the need to
adapt to the signs of the times in the modern world, the Church
truly proved herself as ecclesia semper reformanda (the Church
must always be reformed) which is expressed in the
SecondVatican Council
- Catholic Church, though imperfect, has remained firmly
committed in its mission of bringing Jesus Christ to all
- She has recognized the goodness of the modern world and its
role and task of evangelization
- Celebrated the inherent unity that binds all men and women,
regardless of ideological, social or religious variationsgreat
changes that enable the Catholic Church to widely open its door
to all
- After Vat. II we are given the task to support the Church in its
mission
- Let us not forget that the true measure of our understanding
lies in its translation into our own perspective, attitude, decision
and action, expressed in the way we relate with our neighbors-
Christians and non-Christians, for we too are persons always in
need of reform