Council Of Vatican II

The members of the Council of Trent realized the unfair abuses of the church, and called for reform. In this way, they were protecting themselves against criticism from Protestant reformers. A drastic reform of monastic orders was launched. The council acted against the abuse of indulgences while still upholding the principle. This meant that indulgences could not just be sold; indulgences were granted when an individual did something truly good. Also, bishops were to reside in their respective dioceses and attend more carefully to their duties, exercising more control over clergy. Pluralism was checked and steps were taken to make sure church officials were eligible for the job. In order to have an educated clergy, the council ordered that a seminary be set up in each diocese for priest training. More careful steps were to be taken to ensure the celibacy of clergy. The Council of Trent was able to eliminate many abuses of the

The essence of the contribution made by Pope John XXIII was his calling together of the Second Vatican Council that aimed to address modernisation of the Catholic Church,

As means to start such reform, Pope Paul III, initiated The Council of Trent. The gathering amongst high-ranking churchmen took place from 1545-1563 and was held for two primary purposes. The council was mustered to determine a plan to combat Protestantism and how Catholics would compromise with them and to reform the Catholic Church by clarification of the doctrine and define the central articles of faith. Through The Council of Trent, the strength of the Catholic doctrine increased, and there became a higher stress placed on the importance of the visual arts. The council was successful in developing a doctrine that outlined the difference between Protestantism and Catholicism and created

In the United States, there has often been debate over whether the U.S. Constitution is a “living constitution.” A “living constitution” is the idea that the interpretation of constitutional phrases should take into account the contemporaneous society. In other words, practices and traditions of the government have the ability to change and transform over time in accordance with the changes in society. Similarly, there has often been debate in the religious community as to whether the practices and traditions of the church have the ability to change and transform in order to better suit the needs of its constituents. Two Popes in the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis and Pope Pius IX, have published documents with opposing viewpoints about the church’s ability to change and transform over time. The aforementioned documents also highlight other issues commonly debated within the church. Ultimately, Pope Francis favors a more progressive church, that is opento change, while Pope Pius IX favors a church with more rigid guidelines that follow traditional practices.

He further explained that “the faithful ought not to think that just because priests preside over Mass that they are more important than the people who make up the church itself” (USA Today). Pope Francis is pushing for these reforms in the church because he believes that some of the old traditions in the church are incorrect and immoral and that something needs to change for the better.

The Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II as it is often called, was an Ecumenical Council, (which means it affected the worldwide Christian community) of the Roman Catholic Church. It began on October 11, 1962 under, Pope John XXIII with over two thousand attendants (Hollis 23). The council ended on December 8, 1965, with Pope Paul VI presiding over the council due to the death of Pope John XXIII in 1963. The council consisted of four different sessions convening in the fall of the four years during which the council took place. Topics discussed and debated throughout the council were issues concerning the church, the liturgy, revelation and scripture, and the clergy.

As time constantly presses forward and the earth continues to revolve, the world will never stop progressing and adapting to better suit the needs of mankind. The evolution of religion has greatly enhanced the quality of life for humanity by providing individuals with a strong belief system that is now the foundation of many peoples’ core values. One universal religion that has undergone extensive amounts of reform is Christianity. In particular, the Catholic church is well-known for the development of their famous ecumenical council meetings that help determine the future of the church. Numerous Councils have been conducted throughout the course of history, but none more significant than the most recent, the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II. The Catholic church was operating as if it was still the medieval period and desperately needed to be modernized. As a result, every Roman Catholic Church official was gathered to meet and devise a plan for how to introduce the church to the modern world. Consequently, the following will reveal the Second Vatican Council and the ramifications of the agenda, history and theology evolution, significant texts, and new developments.

These speeches would account for the mass following of the Christian faith to unite under the pope and follow his commands. Pope Urban II preached

The second ‘category’ being church discipline, which focused on upholding key beliefs and put decrees in place to abolish all bad practices, the following reforms were decided on to put the church back in order;A seminary,which was a place where priests were educate and was set up in each diocese, Decrees were also passed against pluralism and absenteeism. This meant that bishops and others who held religious officers could no longer be appointed multiple positions. Indulgence selling was also abolished.

The session in each congregation has responsibility “to guide and govern the life of the congregation, [and] leads the congregation in fulfilling its responsibilities for the service of all people, for the up building of the whole church, and for the glory of God” (G-1.0103). Especially, teaching and ruling elders have responsibility “for a quality of life and relationship that commends the gospel to all person and that communicates its joy and justice” (G-2.0504). Furthermore, they need “to exercise pastoral care, devoting special attention to the poor, the sick, the troubled, and the dying” (G-2.0504). The role of Councils of the church is that “bear testimony against error in doctrine and immorality in life, resolve questions of doctrine and discipline, give counsel in matters of conscience, and decide issues properly brought before them under the provisions of this Book of Order.”

A 54-year-old Catholic woman stated in an interview conducted on the topic of the modernization of the church insightfully noted that Vatican II allowed for “practical changes,” like “ music and singing, and women allowed into upfront roles as readers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers, as well as altar servers in some places.” Vatican II “aimed to produce a different experience of the mass,” but also set out to reposition the church in a relative relationship with the modern world (Mathis).

After John XXIII died, Pope Paul VI took over leading the Council and the Church universal. By selling the Papal tiara, the crown worn by popes, and giving the money to the poor,957 Paul VI confirmed a servant style of leadership in accordance with the ancient papal title, “A servant of the servants of God” used by Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604). One way he served the people of God was by overseeing the revision of the liturgy. This culminated in 1969 when he approved a new “ordinary” of the Roman Rite Mass.958

Success of the Council of Trent in the years 1545-1563 in Tackling the Problems Confronting the Catholic Church

Fr R. Cantalamessa pointed out, “The prophetic intuition of Pope Paul VI had a determining role in this (recognition of the CCR by the Church). In that, on Pentecost of 1975 at a meeting with its leaders, he defined the Charismatic Renewal as a ‘chance’ for the Church.” Cardinal L.J. Suenens, a protagonist of CCR, recognized it as “a current of grace” and convinced Pope Paul VI of the need for the Church to accept and encourage the Renewal in order that it should not grow in isolation. In the summer of 1975, some 10,000 Catholic charismatics gathered in the Catacombs of St. Callistus in Rome for the Second International Congress. A special Mass was celebrated with singing in tongues and prophecies at the Papal Altar in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome followed by the historic special audience with Pope Paul VI.

The next text is from the 2nd Vatican Council called “Pastoral Constitution,” which focused on bringing the church into modern times. This text focuses on the importance of helping those being marginalized, those who are on the brink of society, and what is the best way that the Church as a community can fight to protect them.