The Second Vatican Council Reasons for Calling the

The Second Vatican Council

Reasons for Calling the Council • 20 th Century bloodiest in history • World Wars, Depression • Cold War • Complete work of Vatican I • Recognize Church is no longer European, but Global

Intentions • Aggiornamento • Christ the fullness of Revelation

Pope John XXIII Angelo Roncalli Born in 1881 Joined the Priesthood Made a Bishop in 1921 Sent to Greece and Turkey 1953, Archbishop of Venice • 1958, elected Pope • • •

Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani • Number 1 choice for Pope in 1958 • Ultra conservative Faction of the Vatican • Motto “Semper Idem” • Election of Roncalli over Ottaviani reflect a desire for change

Structure of Vatican II • • • Called by Pope John XXIII Pope Paul VI 2000 -2500 bishops 4 sessions Met in fall Subcommittees worked on documents in winter and spring

Pope Paul VI • 1963 -1978

Other Notable Participants

A True Ecumenical Council • Invited other Christian denominations • Other religious leaders present to observe

Results • 16 Major documents • Outlining new and updated positions of the Church • Up to the Present, largely defines the Church’s position

Four Constitutions 1. 2. 3. 4. Dei Verbum Lumen Gentium Gaudium Et Spes Sacrosanctum Concilium

Nine Decrees 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Ad Gentes Apostolicam Actuositatem Christus Dominus Inter Mirifica Optatem Totius Presbyterorum Ordinis Orientalium Ecclesiarum Unitatis Redintegratio Perfectae Caritatis

Three Declarations 1. Gravissimum Educationis 2. Nostra Aetate 3. Dignitatus Humane

The Legacy of Vatican II • “End of the Constantine Era” • Global Church • Matthew 24: 14 and 28: 19