An overview of the Second Vatican Council

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope John XXIII opened Vatican II by delivering his famous 'Gaudet Mater Ecclesiae' speech, in which he indicated the main purpose of the Council.

The Second Vatican Council marked a milestone in Church history, setting off a process of deep transformation within the Church itself, and in its relations with the modern world, and other Christian Churches and non-Christian religions. The process is still ongoing.

The 21st Ecumenical Council in Church history

Vatican II was the 21st ecumenical council to be convened in the Church's bimillennial history, and gathered nearly a century after Pope Pius IX convoked Vatican I (1869-70) which defined the dogmas of papal infallibility and the primacy of papal jurisdiction.

Pope St. John XXIII announced the convocation on 25 January 1959, only three months after his election to the Petrine ministry in October 1958, as he addressed the cardinals gathered in the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls in Rome. 

Offering the modern world the "medicine of mercy"

In his unexpected announcement, Pope John explained that his decision was born from the ascertainment of the spiritual impoverishment of modern society resulting from the deep social and political transformations it had been undergoing over the previous decades, which demanded a new response from the Church. He also mentioned the centuries-old divisions in the Christian family.

In his first Encyclical ‘Ad Petri Cathedram’, published on 29 June 1959, and at a preparatory meeting on the next day, the late Pope further clarified that the Council was meant primarily to revitalize the Christian faith in an increasingly secularized world, to give new vigour to the Catholic Church’s mission, and to adapt Church practices to new circumstances.

Pope John wanted a pastoral Council and one of renovation, so that the Catholic teachings could be better understood and accepted in 20th-century society. As he said at the opening speech of the Council, while preserving the integrity of its doctrine, the Church wanted to offer the modern world the "medicine of mercy", and not severe condemnations.

Four sessions and 169 General Congregations

The Vatican II solemnly opened on 11 October 1962 in St. Peter's Basilica, after over three years of preparations. The Council met in four sessions between 1962 and 1965 each lasting between 8 and 12 weeks, in the autumn of each of the four years, for a total of 169 General Congregations. It was shortly interrupted after Pope John’s death on 3 June 1963, and resumed after Pope Pope VI’s election, on 11 June that year.  It closed on 8 December 1965.

Non-Catholic observers invited to attend

Between 2,000 and 2,500 Catholic cardinals, patriarchs and bishops from all over the world, assisted by 460 theological experts (periti), attended each session. For the first time Protestants, Orthodox and other non-Catholic observers were invited to assist. 42 lay and religious listeners, men and women, also attended.

16 documents

Overall, the Council issued 16 documents, including four Constitutions (on the Church's structure and nature, on divine Revelation, on the Church in the modern world, and on the liturgy,); nine Decrees (on the Church and the media, ecumenism, Eastern Catholic Churches, bishops, priestly formation, religious life, the laity, priestly ministry and missionary activity). Three Declarations on non-Christian religions, Christian education and religious freedom were also issued.

The four Constitutions: ‘Lumen Gentium’

One of the most important documents produced by Vatican II is the Dogmatic Constitution ‘Lumen Gentium’ on the Church's structure and nature. It presents the Church as a Mystery and a Communion of baptized believers (the “People of God”) who are called to holiness and who each have specific roles and responsibilities. It reaffirms the missionary character of the Church and confirms the collegiality of the Episcopate "with and under the successor of St. Peter".  It establishes, among other things, the  faculty for the local Episcopates to restore the permanent diaconate for  married men. The role of the laity and their participation in the life and mission of the Church is also emphasized, while the vocation to religious life is considered in relation to the spiritual life of the whole Church.

‘Dei Verbum’

The Dogmatic Constitution ‘Dei Verbum’ on Divine Revelation is another fundamental document of the Council. Its purpose is to spell out the Church’s understanding of the nature of Revelation, that is, the process whereby God communicates with human beings. It is especially relevant for ecumenism, as it touches on questions about Scripture, tradition and the teaching authority of the Church.

‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’

The Constitution ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’ on the  Sacred Liturgy is remembered by many for having allowed vernacular languages in the liturgy, and  for having emphasized the importance of community prayer recognizing  the value and richness of the various rites in the Church according to the different traditions.

‘Gaudium et Spes’

The Pastoral Constitution ‘Gaudium et Spes’ on the Church in the Modern World called on the Church to engage in dialogue with contemporary society and its problems, bringing church teaching and moral values to bear on a world too often torn by hatred, war and injustice. The document acknowledged that science and culture have things to teach the Church, but also said the Church has a mission to sanctify the world around it.

Landmark changes in the Church, in ecumenical and interreligious relations

In the years after Vatican II the Church witnessed several landmark changes:

- The new Roman Missal was issued in 1970, with a new cycle of readings designed to offer a richer selection of Scripture. The liturgical calendar was simplified. The rites for sacraments were revised, emphasizing the communal aspects of their celebration. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was revived and reformed. As the changes took places, active liturgical participation increased dramatically in many local church communities.

- Lay ministries multiplied. Lay readers and lay ministers of Communion appeared during Mass. Laity were represented on parish councils and diocesan boards, and lay men and women, many with theology degrees, replaced clerics in a number of administrative church positions.

- Throughout the Church, there was a renewed attention to Scriptures, in liturgy and in individual spirituality.

- Eastern Catholic Churches were encouraged to return to their own traditions, ending a period of Latinization and opening a new appreciation of variety within the universal Church.

- Ecumenism flourished, in formal dialogue between Catholic officials and other Christian Churches, and in prayer and fellowship encounters at the local level.

- After the Council acknowledged the possibility of salvation for non-Christians, dialogue also began with other religions.

- Religious life changed dramatically, as religious orders adopted Vatican norms and rewrote their own constitutions, taking a new look at issues of authority, community and identity.

- Vatican II estored the permanent diaconate as a ministry and allowed married men to be ordained deacons. 

- The Council's teaching that the pope and bishops together form a single collegial body led to a new appreciation for bishops and bishops' conferences. The Synod of Bishops was formed to meet regularly and advise the pope.

- Theology was revitalized, especially moral theology, which focused increasingly on biblical sources and the individual conscience, and less on church law or authority.

- The Council underlined the Church's solidarity with humanity instead of its separation from the secular world, and this led to the proliferation  of social and charitable activities. Church leaders spoke frequently about the Church's preference for the poor and suffering, and became strong human rights advocates. 

Article based also on information from L’Osservatore Romano and CNS