The Second Vatican Council

Question 1

What did the council want to focus on?

Answer 1

• the church in the modern world
• the church’s inner life
• the church’s relationship to other Christians
• the Church’s relationship with other religions

Question 2

What were the four key documents?

Answer 2

• sacrosanctum concilium (liturgy)
• lumen gentium (church)
• dei verbum (revelation)
• gaudium et spes (church in the modern world)

Question 3

What is the nature and importance of sacrosanctum concilium (liturgy)?

Answer 3

• reformed church services so the laity could be more involved (at mass)
• the mass was to be celebrated in the vernacular (local language) so people knew what was happening
• the laity were allowed to receive both communion
• the lectionary was revised so the laity could hear more of the bible

Question 4

What is the nature and importance of Lumen Gentium (church)?

Answer 4

• emphasised that salvation was for all (non christians)
• bishops were encouraged to work as a group (collegiality) which meant greater responsibility for the magisterium
• the people of god (clergy and laity) were reminded that they shared in christs priesthood and holiness
• the important role of the laity was stressed

Question 5

What is the nature and importance of die verbum (revelation)?

Answer 5

• it was made clear the bible is the word of God written by humans who were inspired by the Holy Spirit
• the word of god is not a book, but jesus
• tradition and the bible are equally important
• the gospels were especially important because they contain direct revelation from Jesus

Question 6

What is the nature and importance of gaudium et spes (church in the modern world)?

Answer 6

• focused on humanity’s relationship with a global society (economics, poverty, culture etc.)
• explained how important science and technology are but the danger of losing human dignity in the modern world
• saw the importance of catholics talking to non believers

Question 7

How did the council start?

Answer 7

Pope John XXIII wanted to renew the Church when he became pope then opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962.

Question 8

How did the council close?

Answer 8

By Pope Paul V in 1965.

Question 9

What are the divergent understandings of the importance of the council?

Answer 9

• many catholics saw it as a great relief and encouragement as the church listened to the people and opened up to the modern world
• some thought the reforms went too far
• some thought that the changes did not go far enough and that there should be married priests, contraception, divorce and remarried people to take communion