The Church's Response to

the Signs of the Times

The Biblical expression "signs of tkhe times" has been used with a general
meaning of significant events and trends in many languages for centuries.
It was given a specific theological meaning at Vatican II in the Pastoral
Constitution on the Church in Today's World: Gaudium et Spes (art. 4).
There it refers to those events in history characteristic of an epoch,
which, if properly read, can reveal the presence or the absence of God.

History of the Term at the Council. "Signs of the times" was first used in a
theological context by Pope John XXIII in the Bull Humanae salutis (Dec.
25, 1961), in which he convened the Vatican Council, to meet in the next
year. After dismissing those who see only darkness burdening the face of
the earth, the Pope stated:
While the Council was in session, Pope John published the encyclical
letter Pacem in Terris (April 13, 1963) in which the term "Signs of the
Times" was used three times, not however in the text of the letter,
but as the sub-titles to three distinct sections (par. 29, 126, 142).
Under this heading, the pope noted three events in particular as
being significant for the knowledge of God and religion: the
progressive development of the working classes, the growing role of
women in public life, and the gradual disappearance of colonialism

A year later, Pope Paul VI used the term in

Ecclesiam suam (Aug. 6, 1964), where he spoke
of the "signs of the times" as part of a dialogue
between the Church and the world.
From the time of Pacem in Terris, the term "signs of
the times" was used in successive drafts of sections
of the pastoral constitution. "Signs of the Times"
was the name given to a subcommission preparing
the Introductory Statement of the Constitution.

Origin and Meaning. The origin of the

term"signs of the times" is the Gospel (Mt.
16.1.3):
 In this context, the "signs of the times" are the
person and activity of Jesus which signify that these
days are decisive for repentance and judgment.
They are clear indications of the coming of the
Kingdom, signs which should be able to be read by
all. In a more general context, the "signs of the
times" could be said of events which, by qualities
within the events themselves, manifest the
presence and activity of God and call the Church to
faith and deeper understanding.
 The Biblical context is both Christological and
eschatological. World Council of Churches observers
and some fathers of the Council objected to the use of
the term for contemporary events. For this reason, the
sub-commission removed the term from the text
submitted to the third and fourth sessions of the
Council. It was inserted in the final text without,
however, its Biblical citation; the term was to be
understood only in the sense in which Popes John and
Paul had used it.
 Understood sociologically the "signs of the times" are those events in
human history which, by their widespread or frequent appearance, or
by some dramatic quality so characterize an era that in them the needs,
achievements, and aspirations of men and women present themselves.
Reflected in the light of the Gospel, they are signs of the divine saving
will in history. From these "signs of the times," the Church can
understand its teaching better, express it more clearly and fully, and
adapt its pastoral action.
The most telling weakness in any theory of interpreting events as
signs of God's presence is its optimism: it fails to take into account
the ambiguity which baffles any interpretation of human history.
Pastor Lukas Vischer, a World Council of Churches observer at
Vatican II, wrote the subcommission:
The Council suggested no criteria for
this prophetic task except study,
discussion, prayer, and the
assistance of the Holy Spirit in the
Church (art. 44). Nor was this ever
assumed to be easy.
In the years that have followed the Council the phrase "signs of the
times" has been applied frequently to descriptions of contemporary
events which have an impact on the life of faith of the Church. Papal
letters and statements of the Synod of Bishops offer an analysis of
contemporary events in the manner of Gaudium et Spes as a
preface or introduction, especially if the document deals with
questions of social doctrine. However the term "signs of the times"
is rarely used in this description. Almost nothing has been written
about "signs of the times" as a font of revelation or a source of
theology since the studies published in 1967–69 immediately after
the Council, by the theologians who played a role in the preparation
of the Pastoral Constitution when the concept was new and
exciting.
Bibliography: c. Moeller, "History of
the Constitution" and "Preface and
Introductory Statement,"
Commentary on Documents of
Vatican II, v. 5, Pastoral Constitution
on the Church in the Modern World
(New York 1969) 1–114. m.-d. Chen,
"Les Signes des Temps," 87 Nouvelle
Revue Theologique, 29–39.