The contribution to Christianity of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than Jesus, drawn from : (Pope John XXIII)
- Most significant legacy→ Vatican II (1962-65) → Church works for peace and justice and ecumenism
- Vatican II→ revolutionised view of modern world (now service of world instead of opposition)
- Catholic church→ now open for dialogue→ work with other Christians and religions
- Brought new openness to ecumenism
- Previously seen as ‘one true church’ → but now encouraged to share prayer, social actions with other Christians
- Called protestants ‘separated brethren’ rather than protestants → one of aims of Vatican II; “Unity among Christians.”
- If didn’t call council→ church would be cut off from modern world, outdated and irrelevant to modern life→ modernised role of priests, nuns etc (more focused on working for social justice)
- Renewal of liturgy→ now could study bible, mass translated into local languages,not said with backs to people (challenged traditionalism)
- Entered into interreligious dialogue→ worked to defend religious freedoms of other religions (Islam)
The contribution to Christianity of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than Jesus, drawn from : (Pope John XXIII)
Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher)
- Social justice
- Need for wealthy nations to support developing ones
“Man’s aim must be to achieve in social justice a national and international judicial order.”
“The nations of this world are becoming more and more dependent on one another and it will not be possible to preserve a lasting peace so long as glaring economic and social imbalances persist.”
The contribution to Christianity of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than Jesus, drawn from : (Pope John XXIII)
Pacem en Terris (Peace on Earth)
- Prophetic call to peace, in world on the brink of nuclear war
- Addressed not just to Catholics, but to whole world
“The same law of nature that governs the life and conduct of all individuals, must also regulate the relations of political communities with one another.”
“The stockpiles of armaments which have been built up in various countries must be reduced all round and simultaneously by the parties concerned. Nuclear weapons must be banned.”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity
- Was and continues to be resistance about renewal→ some broken away, blamed decline in numbers of nuns on Vatican II
- Many Christians and organisations took up idea of working for peace and justice around the world
- Some organisations (E.g. Catholic Mission) shifted focus from converting non-Catholics to helping the poor, by working for justice and development in the third world.
- Rights for laity to take active role in faith→ roles previously restricted now performed by laity. “Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful.” VATICAN II DOC
- Unreasonably harsh Church laws dropped; greater emphasis on pastoral care and social justice
- 1965→ Catholic and Orthodox churches apologise→ end excommunications of Great Schism (1054)
- Ecumenism work→ contributed to world peace (end many conflicts between Catholics and Protestants)
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity
Vatican II Council Constitutions: LITURGY
- Mass previously in latin (didn’t understand) celebrated exactly same around world.
- Laity were passive observers to liturgy
- After→ mass translated, laity given hymns, prayers to help participation
- “Full conscious and active participation of the people in the celebration of the liturgy” was encouraged
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity
Vatican II Council Constitutions: THE CHURCH
- Church seen as hierarchy (popes, cardinals, bishops and priests)
- Religious brothers and sisters had active roles, laity were passive supporters of hierarchy
- After→ Church recognised laity and ordained together, all as people of God.
“The baptised, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood.”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity
Vatican II Council Constitutions: DIVINE REVELATION
- Official version of Bible was Latin (not allowed to be translated) Laity shouldn’t read bible.
- After→ Laity encouraged to study Bible (it is Word of God) modern analysis allowed, translation allowed.
- “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity
Vatican II Council Constitutions: THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD
- Church considered “perfect society” (opposed to corruption of secular world)
- Distinct divide between religious and secular world
- After→ recognised positives of modern society, said Church “stands in solidarity with humankind.”
- Discussed church contributing to society→ issues of human dignity, family, economic justice, war and peace
