The Second Vatican Council And Its Lasting Effects

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.

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.

Pope John Paul was one of the most influential persons of the 21st century. He changed the way the Catholic Church looked at the world and vice versa. Unlike most other predecessors, he stressed on dialogue and understanding among the people of the world. He sought to bring the people of the world together through the message of both love and peace. The role he played in destroying communism and bringing dictatorship around the world to an end gained wide media coverage. His dialogue between different faiths was admirable. During his papacy that stretched from 1978 to his death in 2005, he had a positive impact on the Catholic scene in particular and the world in general.

The Second Vatican Council contributed many changes to the Catholic Church in order to freshen and modernise their thinking and practices. One notable change being the contribution of the lay people in the celebration of the mass. All baptised Catholics have a purpose to fulfil therefore have the authority to contribute through responses, hymns and prayers. Each church formed lay ministers to assist in the clergy and further the involvement of the congregation. Another significant change was the removal of the Latin language in the mass. So that people could understand and interpret the teachings of the scriptures the mass was said in vernacular languages which were coherent to society and people could now act out Jesus’ teachings in their

In an age filled with war and political instability, the Roman Catholic Church served as a way to unify members of Europe during the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages was a time of low literacy rates. The Roman Catholic Church allowed members of medieval society (both literate and illiterate) an understanding of how the world worked. Although political leaders had only great local power, the Church was recognized as the most powerful institution, as its power covered all of Europe. The Roman Catholic Church was able to touch everyone’s life, no matter their class or ranking. In a time of darkness and suffering, The Church gave everyone a sense of belonging and place in the world. During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church stood as the central

The Roman Catholic Church was an extremely powerful organization during the middle ages and for the most part controlled all aspects of people’s lives. However, this organization does not last forever and over time begins to crack and crumble until a series of schisms split the church into multiple opposing sides. The Church’s message and authority was eventually undermined by corruption and the lay people demanding reform.

The Second Vatican Council was called by Pope John Paul XXIII in 1959 but wasn’t open until 1962. Pope John Paul XXIII felt the need to call the council to bring the church up to date. It was known as the reformation of the church. The Second Vatican Council was the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, only that its members weren’t limited to European based bishops. The council held four sessions between the years of 1962-1965. These sessions were held in St. Peter’s Basilica by two popes: Pope John Paul XXIII and Pope Paul VI.

It is important to understand the reformation and mechanism of religion in the making of European history. As Christianity was expanding a hierarchy was established around 312 to 540 B.C.E in the church with male bishops as the powerful leaders of the church. Over time the bishops took over some of the emperor’s rule and eventually bishops went against one another, outranking each other. The bishop or Rome eventually became the church’s supreme leader and gave himself the title of pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The same concept that occurred in the earlier centuries was now seen amongst popes in the eleventh century. The church wanted a separation between secular powers and the pope but the movement was subtle and did not create

The Second Vatican Council lasted from 1962-1965 and it was the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. This council was called together by Pope John XXII and it was continued under the lead of Pope Paul VI. The Council was important for renewal in the understanding of the Church. The Second Vatican Council needed to figure out how to bring its inner life and its relationship to other Christian traditions, other religions and most importantly, the world. The council also wanted to discuss principles from the Council of Trent and Vatican I that were supposed to happen, but never took place. These principles were taken back from old traditions, practices, and teachings that had often been neglected and forgotten. The second

It took about four years of secret planning with Bishops and Cardinals before the Council assembled in 1869. For the first time, Bishops from countries outside Europe joined European Bishops at Vatican I. The main purpose of Vatican I was to define the Catholic doctrine, establish the Church beliefs and Papal infallibility, and denounce new ideas of the time such as rationalism, liberalism and materialism. Pope Pius IX called for an Ecumenical Council to implement papal authority and make clear Catholic beliefs which had come under attack by Enlightenment thinkers, for example, the first Vatican Council (Vatican I) began in 1869 at Saint Peter’s Basilica and was attended by almost seven hundred bishops and other church leaders. At Vatican I, the bishops officially proclaimed Papal infallibility, and raised the question of the authority of the bishops. Interruption by Italian troops meant that the authority of the bishops was not finalised until Vatican II in the

The contemporary Catholic Church continues to be faced with the challenges of modernity. Often do members of the laity feel that the Church has become too rigid and dogmatic in its practice of spirituality. People in and out of the Catholic religion see the Church as a

The Roman Catholic Church has changed history an incredible amount, especially in the twentieth century. It did not affect one single region of the world but many. The whole world went through drastic changes in the twentieth century such as the economic downfalls, destruction of governments, and failure of political systems. Through the economic and spiritual support of many different Catholic charities, such as The Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Church came to the aid of many people in need and changed the course of history. The Catholic Church also experienced the most influential people during this time period. Pope John Paul II influenced the whole world. Also Mother Theresa contributed to society in many different ways. It was not just a specific person that aided people in need but also the church as a whole. The world experienced so many tragic things in this time period. The world went through two world wars and an economic collapse. The Catholic Church was the rock people needed during these stressful times and it did not change. The Catholic Church has influenced people’s lives for the better since it’s beginning. It helped build new countries and repair the old ones. It helped rebuild governments and tea down dictators. Through the twentieth century the world went through many horrible things. One of them was communism. The Catholic Church helped put an end to communism in some parts of the world. It shed light on the evils of men and gave

The Roman Catholic Church has faced several dilemmas or challenges in today's society, particularly on moral issues. Most of the dilemmas that the Catholic Church faces today are rooted in its Roman traditions, doctrines, and dogmas. Some of these main dilemmas include concerns on whether to be more conservative or liberal in religious direction, how to deal with the pedophilia crisis, and how to tackle the shortage of priests. As these dilemmas have continued to be a serious challenge to the Catholic Church, there is a great need to find the appropriate solutions to them.

Lumen Gentium is one of the most important documents to come out of the Second Vatican Council. Lumen Gentium, in the words of one Catholic organization, reflects the Catholic Church's "own modern self-understanding," that the Church is "a light not just for Christians, but for all humanity." Many viewed the Church, as some fortress which only included certain members. However, many inside the Church wanted to relay the message that the Catholic church was ready to embrace the modern world.

In the Western world, the schism within the Catholic Church has made its most significant impact due to rapid changes in social standards. Of greatest importance is the evolution of modern society and their response to the reverberated traditions of the Catholic Church as well as the evolving Protestant sects. In consequence of increases in technology and science, modern society has redefined its acceptable and moral behavioral standards within a social setting, whereas, the Catholic Church stands firm in its doctrines despite social and moral movements in the twentieth century. Except for the Second Vatican Council and the Council of Trent, the Roman Catholic Church has not worked to revise its religious traditions in