The 2nd Vatican Council Essay

Hundreds of clergy and representatives of many of the great leaders of Europe answered Innocent III's summons and attended the Fourth Lateran Council . Innocent put to work his knowledge of law to begin implementing changes that would shape Europe from then on. Canon 13 produced at the great council states that "we strictly forbid anyone in the future to found a new order, but whoever should wish to enter an order, let him choose one already approved." Unlike the great emperors of Rome, who had continuously looked farther and hungered for more which had eventually led them to being unable to control and maintain that which their greed had brought them. Innocent and the council believed it would be better for the church to solidify the holdings that

The Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II as it is often called, was an Ecumenical Council, (which means it affected the worldwide Christian community) of the Roman Catholic Church. It began on October 11, 1962 under, Pope John XXIII with over two thousand attendants (Hollis 23). The council ended on December 8, 1965, with Pope Paul VI presiding over the council due to the death of Pope John XXIII in 1963. The council consisted of four different sessions convening in the fall of the four years during which the council took place. Topics discussed and debated throughout the council were issues concerning the church, the liturgy, revelation and scripture, and the clergy.

Pope Pius IX called the First Vatican Council in 1868. It was the Roman Catholic Church’s twentieth ecumenical council. It was held in the Vatican City. The purpose of this council was to attend to issues such as secularism, rationalism, and materialism. This council explored the principle of papal infallibility as well.

The Roman Catholic Church was an extremely powerful organization during the middle ages and for the most part controlled all aspects of people’s lives. However, this organization does not last forever and over time begins to crack and crumble until a series of schisms split the church into multiple opposing sides. The Church’s message and authority was eventually undermined by corruption and the lay people demanding reform.

The Second Vatican Council lasted from 1962-1965 and it was the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. This council was called together by Pope John XXII and it was continued under the lead of Pope Paul VI. The Council was important for renewal in the understanding of the Church. The Second Vatican Council needed to figure out how to bring its inner life and its relationship to other Christian traditions, other religions and most importantly, the world. The council also wanted to discuss principles from the Council of Trent and Vatican I that were supposed to happen, but never took place. These principles were taken back from old traditions, practices, and teachings that had often been neglected and forgotten. The second

In 1864, Pope Pius IX wrote the Syllabus of Errors for the laity. This condemned about 80 different reforms which were occurring in Europe, including the three already mentioned. The church followed this document until the second Vatican Council.

The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), in an effort to reacquaint the faithful to their three-fold dignity of priest, prophet and king received during their baptism, reaffirmed in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, also known as the ad intra (“Church within”) conciliar document Lumen Gentium, that, “…all the faithful, that is, who by Baptism are incorporated into Christ…have been made sharers in their own way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ and play their part in carrying out the mission of the whole Christian people in the church and in the world” (48). Since the laity, religious, and clergy now had a shared responsibility as the People of God in bringing about the Kingdom of God, no longer would they be as

As time constantly presses forward and the earth continues to revolve, the world will never stop progressing and adapting to better suit the needs of mankind. The evolution of religion has greatly enhanced the quality of life for humanity by providing individuals with a strong belief system that is now the foundation of many peoples’ core values. One universal religion that has undergone extensive amounts of reform is Christianity. In particular, the Catholic church is well-known for the development of their famous ecumenical council meetings that help determine the future of the church. Numerous Councils have been conducted throughout the course of history, but none more significant than the most recent, the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II. The Catholic church was operating as if it was still the medieval period and desperately needed to be modernized. Consequently, the following will reveal the Second Vatican Council and the ramifications of the agenda, history and theology evolution, significant texts, and new developments.

Doorly points out in her various letters several other apparent breaks from the longstanding tradition of Holy Mother Church. One such break pointed out by Doorly is with Pius XI’s encyclical Mortalium Animos in which he specifies that the ecumenical movement is dangerous to the faithful. That the faithful should not be allowed to attend the celebrations or support the work of those efforts striving towards a unity among all the Churches. The Church has always bee one, a unity which shall never fade, for her unity is in Christ. Vatican II seems to reject that notion and encourage the faithful to do just the opposite; that is take an active role in the ecumenical movements. A further seeming break from Pius XI’s encyclical is where he specifies that this striving toward a union of all men, regardless of doctrine, robs the Gospel of its power and the Catholic faith would be

The lack of organization and misuse of power in the first century Catholic Church is what caused the many needed adjustments and improvements in the church today. In the first century, Popes were seen as the most powerful men in Europe which caused many of them to abuse the sacred office in order to fulfill their own personal goals.

Under the absolute rule of the Middle Ages in Western Europe Christian, Roman Catholic influence on Western society is not limited to the spiritual realm, but also penetrates deeply into the economic, political and everyday life. This is the Roman Catholic authoritarian rule led to various social ills of the Middle Ages produced, resulting in a sluggish and weak social situation in Western Europe. Among the many Catholic religious right mind occupies a very important position, and even other forces can not match. In their hearts, the Pope is the main representative of the secular world, with the highest power of faith in the world, in the Middle Ages and royal course of the game, even once it has surpassed the number of Catholics in the religious

While no changes were made to the doctrinal structure of the Church following Vatican II, Pope Paul did promulgate one new doctrine, which asserts that “Mary is the Mother of the Church.”

Pope Francis’ ongoing journey as the head of the Roman Catholic Church has been unforeseen. In this time of significant change in social standards, the Catholic Church has also progressed forward as seen by the decision in electing its most recent head, Pope Francis. Pope Francis’ unique background, approach, and positions on issues has renewed the standards and redundancies of his title and thus distinguishes him from past popes.

declared that primacy conferred on Peter be extended to all Roman Pontiffs, and also that The Pope has Supreme Full, Immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church. This meant that the Pope was not subordinate to others, and did not need councils to decree something and once decreed it applied to the entire church. Vatican II affirmed Vatican I’s Papal Primacy but added balances by placing episcopal collegiality beside it which was done in order to elevate the status of bishops. Infallibility in Vatican I was a power only the Pope had meaning if said ex cathedra it was irrefutable. Vatican II reaffirmed this but then extended the notion to bishops giving them more power and allowed then to decree something as infallible if they all met

Certainly, this course has revealed the establishment, stability, and evolution of the Catholic Church until present day, also shows a growth very consistent with human population growth. Although, many Christian argue amounst themselves about the legitimate sect, which creates further division separate from other religions, so in many ways people are fighting on many avenues. Instead of creating unity and acceptance of Christ, the Catholic Church grew, wealth, and followers, but the disconnection has become a problem. Surely, the Catholic Church was involved in the social changes from this century, and became very progressive with the Vatican II counsel, by analyzing those issues of modern day people. For example, social issues like womens rights, racism, and dealing with those in need, were some of the many issues associated with this meeting. However, even to this day, we are spilt on so many issues, and these issues still exist today “The Church, Popes John Paul and Benedict believe,” is based on “truth” and teaching this “absolute” is imperative as it never changes (Stewart 315).