The Second Vatican Council

What is it?

Vatican Council (2) is a religious document which brought the Church into the modern world. Written by the Catholic Church in 1965. The modern world was changing dramatically during this time, and Pope John XXIII wanted to address matters of concern, and bring the Church up to date, thereby making it more relevant and accessible to worshippers.

Gaudium et Specs (The Church in the Modern World)

• Encouraged Catholics to respond to issues of poverty

• Peace and justice are necessary for all people, whatever their belief. True peace comes from God, and involves living in harmony with others.

• Science

• Technology

• all human beings have an inherent dignity because they are created in the image and likeness of God.

• All believers and non-believers should be actively engaged in working together for social action and change.

Sacrosantum Concillium (Celebration and Prayer)

• This document covers changes to the Churches official public worship

• Words were translated from Latin to vernacular language

• The rite of Mass would also be simplified to allow worshippers to understand it better and participate more.

• The priest faced the congregation during the Mass, so that worshippers could feel part of the re-presentation of Jesus’ sacrifice.

• The Laity were now allowed to read the Word of God to the congregation during the Mass. (wider selection of Bible reading)

Dei verbum (Revelation)

• How important the Bible is

• Bible study group

• Catholics should apply the teachings of the Bible to their everyday lives.

• Sacred Scripture is a divine revelation. God revealed himself to all through the bible so that we might know him.

Lumen gentium (The Church)

• Ordained priests (sacramental priesthood) are the members of the common priesthood who are able to celebrate the sacraments.

• Called for all members of the Church to bring the light of Christ to the world.

• Active role to be apart of the mission of Church

• Act on to serve Jesus

• The Church was no longer to be seen as a pyramid structure, but a circle with all members of the Church joined together.

Importance of the Vatican II

It appears Pope John XXIII wanted to renew the Church spiritually and allow Christians to unite together. 16 documents were produced, laying a foundation for the church. Many of these brought about great change within the Church, with worshippers able to participate in the Mass and their Church community in a way that had never been seen before. Many welcomed these changes which allowed them to engage in worship on a deeper level.