Why is Vatican II so significant
in the modern church?
INTRODUCTION: VATICAN II
Vatican II was the 21st ecumenical council recognized by the Roman Catholic church, which
became the symbol of the church's openness to the modern world. The council was announced
by Pope John XXIII on January 25, 1959, and held 178 meetings in the autumn of each of
four successive years. The first gathering was on October 11, 1962, and the last on
December 8, 1965.
Of 2908 bishops and others eligible to attend, 2540 from all parts of the world
participated in the opening meeting. The U.S. delegation of 241 members was second in
size only to that of Italy. Asian and African bishops played a prominent role in the
council's deliberations. Only Communist nations were sparsely represented, the result of
government pressures. The average attendance at the meetings was 2200.
ESSAY
Vatican II, as we can clearly see from the above information, was a very large and
important meeting in the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican II has altered the Roman Catholic
Church more that any other council that took place. It has great significance as it made
the church more reasonable and realistic. The Church, after the council, was much more
down-to-earth and open-minded.
One of Vatican II's changes that took place was that Mass became vernacular. This change
was very important because it made people feel more at a personal level when mass was
held seeing as though the priest was speaking their language. It made them feel more at
home and increased their understanding and ability to respond.
Another very major and important change that took place due to Vatican II was the
relationship with the Church and the world.
"The Church is a human organization steered by the Holy Spirit and composed of the gifts
and talents of its members. It is acknowledged that at this time the Church community
has not yet reached its highest potential and is faced with the limitations and of human
shortcomings and temporal constrictions. With an understanding of its abilities and its
boundaries, the Church seeks to work with the world community to come closer to the life
to which God calls the world."
As this quote from one of the Documents in Vatican II states, the Church need have a
relationship with the "outside world" as the Church itself is comprised of humans. And
that the Church having a good relationship with the outside world is necessary for the
Church to reach its highest potential.
These are some of the changes that took place in Vatican II and naming all of them would
not be necessary. The modern Church is the way it is because most of what happened in
Vatican II. Vatican II was what made the Church, what we know it as now. Vatican II has
molded the modern Church and has had most influence on it. Therefore, it is explicitly
obvious that Vatican II was what made Church what we know as the "Modern Church." If
Vatican II did not take place, there would not be a "Modern Church."
----Bibliography:
Information obtained from the following sources:
1) Encyclopedia Britannica
2) Roman Catholic Church History
3) Various handouts in Religion Class
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