The Second Vatican Council - Research Paper Example

Vatican II Introduction Vatican II, or the Second Vatican Council (1962–65) was the 21st ecumenical council that Pope John XXIII convened and it belonged to the Roman Catholic Church while continuing under Paul VI. The council undertook the responsibility of addressing the relations between the modern world and the Roman Catholic Church. The council was conducted at in the Vatican in Saint Peters Basilica was second to be held of such nature. Through the Holy See, the Council opened in a formal way on 11 October 1962 under the preaching of Pope John XXIII and closed on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Paul VI in the year 1965 (Cheney, David, web. n.p.). The council was formed with the purpose of undertaking the review of the position of the church and its spiritual renewal in the contemporary world. It was on Oct. 11, 1962 that the most impressive improvement of the Vatican II was convened, by extending the invitation to the Orthodox Eastern and Protestant churches for sending their observers. The representatives from many churches attended these meetings. Then, the variety of cultural and national origins was another characteristic that was depicted to people who had attended the meeting from around the world (Bokenkotter, Thomas, 2005). It is not clear from the mission of Vatican II that unlike the former councils, this council was distinctive doe the reason that no new dogmas were issues, anathemas declared, nor was there any settlement for the serious profanation that prevailed during this time. The council, rather, became known ideally for its purpose of renewing the Catholic doctrine in the modern perspective and timeline. the council resulted in various institutional changes, which concluded the idea of the Catholic Church that the ultimate salvation for the humanity is brought by it alone, the revised charisma and renewing of the consecrated life, along with the ecumenical struggle towards various other religions through dialogue, and the communicative contribution of laity in many other activities of the religion (Alberigo, Giuseppe; Sherry, Matthew, 69). Besides this, the widespread use of vernacular language instead of the Latin language in Holy Mass was the most conspicuous change brought by the council, the revision of Eucharistic prayers, the disarticulation of the tabernacle of Church from central aisle, along with many other alteration including the abbreviation of the liturgical calendar, replacement of Ad Orientem by Versus Populum, and many other advanced artistic changes that enclosed the modern Catholic liturgical artwork and music (Walsh, Michael, web, n.p.). History It was in the 1950s that the Biblical and theological studies in the Catholic Church were starting to slow down and disappear from the biblical literalism and neo-scholasticism. Since the inception of the First Vatican Council, the response to the Catholic modernism had begun to be implemented. The theologians, including SJ, Karl Rahner, John Courtney Murray, and Michael Herbert could view this shift as they delved into the integration of the modern experience of human with the principles of churches founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ along with others including Joseph Ratzinger, Yves Congar, and Henri de Lubac. They were the people who attempted to have a correct comprehension of the scripture and looked at the early Church Fathers as renouncement or a source of renewal. It was at that time, when the bishops of the world countered the tremendous challenges which were triggered by the social, political, technological and economic change. Many of these bishops had been seeking newer ways of countering the challenges. It was about a century that the First Vatican Council was held but was interrupted as soon as the Italian Army made its entry into the Rome city when Italian unification ended. Ultimately, the deliberations regarding the part of the Papacy along with the similar relationship of reason and faith were finalized, along with the assessment of pastoral matters with regards to the direction of Church that was left unaddressed (Faggioli, Massimo). Pope John XXIII Pope Saint John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli and stayed as pope from 28 October 1958 to his death in 1963. Of the fourteen children, he was the fourth to be born to the sharecroppers family that resided in a village in Lombardy. On 10 August 1904, he was declared a priest and also rendered his services in numerous posts later, which included Greece, papal nuncio in France, along with a delegate to Turkey, and Bulgaria. On 12 January 1953 in a consistory Roncalli was made a cardinal by Pope Pius XII as Santa Priscas Cardinal-Priest along with adding his naming as the Patriarch of Venice. On 28 October 1958, Roncalli was elected after 11 ballots when he was 76. He was selected unexpectedly and was the first pope who had adopted the priestly name as "John" in after being elected in 500 years (Norwich, John). His choice of name settled the complex issue of official numbering that was associated with the name used in papacy because of the antipope. People were expecting Pope John XXIII to act as the caretaker Pope by conducting the celebrated Second Vatican Council (1962–65), which has its opening session held on 11 October 1962. Problems Vatican II countered many problems after its inception and aimed at finding solutions for them. The main role of Scripture needed to be revived in the devotional and theological life of the Church and this was undertaken by the council. It worked on the tasks of earlier popes and begun the work of crafting an advanced move towards the Scriptural interpretation and analysis. Bishops had approved of a new approach towards interpretation and the Church constantly provided Bible in different versions and in the native language of the faithful, which included both laity and clergy who strived at making the study of Bible the primary part of their lives. in this manner, the significance of the Sacred Scripture as demonstrated by Providentissimus Deus by Pope Leo XIII; besides this, the writings composed by the Doctors, Saints, and Popes in the entire history of the Church also approved of the interpretation of Scripture that was historically conditioned and presented in encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu by Pius XII in the year 1943 (Tanner, Norman). Another issue that had arisen for Vatican II was the role of the bishops that had to be renewed by the council. Vatican II brought this issue in the limelight, particularly in situation when it was viewed as a collective measure. It was solved as a college which had been the institution to the apostles regarding the governance and teaching of the Church and was led by the Pope. Besides all other issues, one of the primary points of rejection that was constantly contended was the questioning regarding the validity and reliability of Vatican II or the Second Vatican Council. It remained to be the matter of conflict among different religious communities which did not find it easier to remain unified with the Roman Catholic Church. This includes the traditionalist Catholics and Sedevacantists as the two schools of law in particular. Achievements The Vatican II has the following remarkable achievements to its credits (Berard, web, n.p.). Renewal of Liturgy The Council called for the renewal of the Liturgy of the Hours, Mass, the liturgical year, and sacraments. The renewal of liturgy stressed upon the sacrifice of priest, Mass as the prayer and all the people unified in Christ. The entire body of Christ participated in an intelligent and active manner, and there existed openness for the incorporation of worthwhile traditions and customs of people and culture (Gaillardetz, Richard). Greater stress on Holy Scripture There was a call for the much fuller versions of readings for New and Old Testament by the council in the weekday and Sunday Lectionaries of the Church. After the urging of Council for more reading and study of Scripture, there appeared remarkable helps and resources to assist people in studying Bible, which also included the enhancements in Bible-study groups. Laypeople viewed as equal members in the Church Baptism considers all the members of the Church, including bishops, pope, religious, priests, and laity, as equals. They all provide their contributions and share in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly position of the Christ. They are all called to holiness irrespective of the occupation or vocation they join in life (Matthews, Rupert). The reinstatement of the baptismal catechumenate The unbaptized adults looking to get the membership of Church can consult the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) which is a “school of the faith” (General Directory for Catechesis 91) and “a process of formation” for them. Restoration of the permanent deacons ministry The Council called for the restoration of the ministry of deacon, which refers to a ministry of service having its roots in the early Church. The following tasks were names by the Council for deacon: baptizement, reservation and distribution of the Eucharist, assistance and blessing at marriages, proclaiming Scripture, taking the Viaticum to the dying, presiding at prayer, instructions, administration of sacramentals, and officiating of the burials and funerals. Reviewing the concept of Authority In the light of the spirit of Gospel, there is no concept of domination and authoritarianism in authority but it is purely a service of love in the following of Jesus. The concept remains that he did not come to be served but for the service of humanity and to lay down his own as a ransom for everyone. Collegiality throughout the Church The shared authority and ministry are viewed between the bishops and pope, the parishioners and pastor of a parish, the priests and bishop of a bishopric, and the member and superiors of congregations and religious orders. Acknowledging the presence of God outside Church The work of Spirit in other religions and communities of separated Christian sisters and brothers was recognized by Vatican II. The ecumenical efforts were made to promote unity among the Cristina communities and greater dialogues and communication took place along with respect for all other religions. Maintaining the rights to religious liberty Every individuals rights for the joining of religious of ones own preference were recognized by the Council. The use of physical or any other sort of force in the imposition of an individuals religious practice and beliefs upon others was rejected by the Council. Accepting the world The inhabitants and the world itself are seen as necessarily good. There is no loss of hope restoring the things, restoring all that started with the arrival of Christ and hoped to reach perfection and fulfillment by the arrival and glory of Christ and the end of time again. Conclusion Thus, the Second Council, or Vatican II, formed a turning point in the history of Christianity through its achievements and provision. It can be acknowledged for a large part of growth that took place in the Church. Besides this, much of the growth still remains to be undertaking as people struggle for the complete embracement of the vision of the Council for the people of God. Bibliography Alberigo, Giuseppe; Sherry, Matthew. A Brief History of Vatican II. Maryknoll: Orbis Books. 2006. p. 69. Berard Doerger, OFM, Ten Achievements of Vatican II, American catholic. org. 2012. Web. Retrieved on April 25, 2014 Bokenkotter, Thomas. A Concise History of the Catholic Church. New York: Image. 2005. p. 337 Cheney, David M. Second Vatican Council. Catholic Hierarchy. 2011. Web. Retrieved on April 25, 2014 Faggioli, Massimo. Vatican II: The Battle for Meaning. New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2012. Print. Gaillardetz, Richard R. Keys to the Council: Unlocking the Teaching of Vatican II. Minnesota:  Liturgical Press, 2012. Print. Matthews, Rupert. The Popes: Every Question Answered. New York: Metro Books, 2013. Print. Norwich, John J. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. New York: Random House, 2011. Print. OMalley, John W. What Happened at Vatican II. Massachusetts: Belknap Press, 2010. Print. Tanner, Norman. Vatican II: The Essential Texts. Colorado: Image, 2012. Print Tobin, Greg. The Good Pope: The Making of a Saint and the Remaking of the Church- The Story of John XXIII and Vatican II. New York: HarperOne, 2012. Print Walsh, Michael. The Religious Ferment of the Sixties. in McLeod, Hugh, History of Christianity, 9, World Christianities c. 1914 – c. 2000, Cambridge University Press, 2006. pp. 307–8 Wynn, Wilton. Keeper of the keys. New York: Random House, 1988. Print. Read More