Fr Arockia Rayappan –
The Second Vatican Council promised of a church: internally renewed and externally engaged with the world; in which the laity would share equal responsibility with the clergy for advancing God’s reign; in which Catholics would feel compelled to join other Christians and members of other religious traditions or no religion in effectively addressing the joys, hopes, and anxieties of the world’s peoples, especially the poor and the marginalized. In short, it was the promise of a church that would be a sign and an effective instrument of union with God and unity among all people.[1]
By convening the Second Vatican Council- the 21st Ecumenical Council, Pope John XXIII had a clear intention to reform canon law and to call a synod to work on the problems in the Diocese of Rome itself.[2] Primary reason for convening the Council was the church’s penchant for clinging to its eternal truths risking and ignoring pressing challenges both in the Church and the world.[3]
Pope John XXIII thus opened the windows of the Catholic Church onto the modern world to let in the fresh air. At his inaugural address Gaudet Mater Ecclesia, Saint Pope John XXIII made the following points for achieving the pastoral renewal of the Church[4]: a) Be filled with hope and faith. Do not be prophets of gloom; b) Discover ways of teaching the faith more effectively; c) Deepen the understanding of doctrine; d) Use the medicine of mercy (no “anathemas”); and e) Seek unity within the Church, with Christians separated from Catholicism, with those of non-Christian religions, and with all men and women of goodwill.[5] Some were fearful and suspicious of possible changes, while most Catholics received the papal convocation with open arms. They were prepared to feel the fresh air and were receptive to change. Hope and joy characterized the discussions and outcomes of the Council.
Other influential factors at the Council were: a) Pope John XXIII’s familiarity with the Nouvelle théologie while he was a nuncio to France. In his capacity as a nuncio, he dealt with the aftermath of war and divisions within France,[6] b) Most of the theologians and the Council Fathers were familiar with the principles of ressourcement and aggiornamento promoted through the Nouvelle théologie by the exiled French Dominicans and Jesuits, c) The Pope witnessed two world wars and d) Culture of fruitful dialogue accompanied him throughout his ministry. He fostered relations between the Holy See and other Christian Communities in Bulgaria. He was able to successfully engage in dialogue with both Muslims and Orthodox Christians in Turkey and Greece.
Pope Francis recently recalled the influential role of Nouvelle théologie, “Without the contribution of this French theology (Nouvelle théologie), the richness, depth, and breadth of reflection on which the Second Vatican Council was nourished would not have been possible….”[7]
The work of the Second Vatican Council was spread over four years. During these four years, about ten weeks were being devoted to it in the autumn months of 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965. A great deal of work was accomplished each year in the intervening periods by the various conciliar commissions.[8] The Council was brought to conclusion by Saint Pope Paul VI on Dec. 8, 1965. The Council became the most significant and influential event of the twentieth century, both in secular and ecclesiastical history.[9]
One of the reasons for this is the presence of delegates i.e., more than 2000 bishops, the Council Periti, and ecumenical representatives. Digital and social media apps and Information Technology haven’t yet arrived! The print media, radio, and television made a significant contribution to worldwide the information related to the Council. At the Council, the Church made genuine attempts to examine the contemporary historical situation and interpreted the Church’s mission in the light of the signs of the times. The guiding principles of the ressourcement and aggiornamento were used in the formulation of the Council documents. The pastoral orientation and conciliar attitude that is so inclusive paved the way for articulating the role of Scripture and Tradition in the Church’s life. The Council was pastoral i.e., positive as well as conciliatory. The Council was a ground-breaking event because it opened up possibilities for dialogue and future peace between Christian traditions and world religions. The Council issued sixteen documents of various levels of authority i.e., four constitutions, nine decrees, and three declarations.[10]
Here below they are listed in the order in which they were promulgated by Saint Pope Paul VI[11]:
- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium
Approved 2,147 to 4 and promulgated on Dec. 4, 1963. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html
2. Decree On the Means of Social Communication Inter Mirifica
Decreed by the Council and promulgated on Dec. 4, 1963. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19631204_inter-mirifica_en.html - Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium
Approved 2,151 to 5 and promulgated on Nov. 21, 1964.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
4. Decree On the Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite Orientalium Ecclesiarum
Approved 2,110 to 39 and promulgated on Nov. 21, 1964. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_orientalium-ecclesiarum_en.html
5. Decree On Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio
Approved 2,137 to 11 and promulgated on Nov. 21, 1964. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html
6. Decree Concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church Christus Dominus
Approved 2,319 to 2 and promulgated on Oct. 28, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_christus-dominus_en.html
7. Decree On Renewal of Religious Life Perfectae Caritatis
Approved 2,321 to 4 and promulgated on Oct. 28, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_perfectae-caritatis_en.html
8. Decree On Priestly Training Optatam Totius
Approved 2,318 to 3 and promulgated on 28 Oct. 28, 1965.
9. Declaration On Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis
Approved 2,290 to 35 and promulgated on 28 Oct. 28, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_optatam-totius_en.html
10. Declaration On the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions Nostra Aetate
Approved 2,221 to 88 and promulgated on Oct. 28, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
11. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum
Approved 2,344 to 6 and promulgated on 18 Nov. 18, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
12. Decree On the Apostolate of the Laity Apostolicam Actuositatem
Approved 2,340 to 2 and promulgated on Nov. 18, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651118_apostolicam-actuositatem_en.html
13. Declaration On Religious Freedom Dignitatis Humanae
Approved 2,308 to 70 and promulgated on Dec. 7, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html
14. Decree On the Mission Activity of the Church Ad Gentes
Approved 2,394 to 5 and promulgated on Dec. 7, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_ad-gentes_en.html
15. Decree On the Ministry and Life of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis
Approved 2,390 to 4 and promulgated on Dec. 7, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_presbyterorum-ordinis_en.html
16. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes
Approved 2,307 to 75 and promulgated on Dec. 7, 1965. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html
[1] William Madges, ed., Vatican II Forty Years Later (New York: Orbis Books, 2006), xi.
[2] Papal Artifacts, “Pope John XXIII,” n.d., https://www.papalartifacts.com/portfolio-item/pope-john-xxiii-a-vatican-ii-medallion-from-1962/
[3] Richard R. Gaillarddetz, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Vatican II (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020), xvi.
[4] As summarized by the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pp. 21-22.
[5] Felix Just, S.J., “The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (Vatican II),” Catholic Resources, n.d., https://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/VaticanCouncil2.htm
[6] Papal Artifacts, “Pope John XXIII,” https://www.papalartifacts.com/portfolio-item/pope-john-xxiii-a-vatican-ii-medallion-from-1962/
[7] Benedict Mayaki, S.J., “Pope Francis: Benedict XVI’s theology is not for the past, but fruitful for the future,” Vatican News December 1, 2022, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-12/pope-ratzinger-prize-2022-michel-fedou-professor-weiler-award.html
[8] Austin Flannery, Vatican II The Basic Sixteen Documents Constitutions Decrees Declarations (New York: Costello Publishing Company, 2007), xi.
[9] Peter C. Phan, “Reception of Vatican II in Asia: Historical and Theological Analysis,” Gregorianum 83, no. 2 (2002): 269, https://www.jstor.org/stable/23580708.
[10] Phan, “Reception of Vatican II in Asia: Historical and Theological Analysis,” https://www.jstor.org/stable/23580708.
[11] Second Vatican Council, “The 16 Documents of the Second Vatican Council,” EWTN, n.d., https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/16-documents-of-the-second-vatican-council-1509
Arockia Rayappan is a priest of Delhi Archdiocese and a Ph.D. student at Concordia University, Canada. His doctoral research explores practical, resourceful, and sustainable ways to foster social and religious harmony through Basic Ecclesial Communities in the contemporary Indian multi-cultural, pluri-religious, social, economic, and political milieu. He dedicates the articles on Vatican II and Jubilee 2025 to the friends, teachers, professors, formators and spiritual guides at College Platon, Jnana Deepa – Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Papal Seminary, Vishwa Jyoti Gurukul, Vinay Gurukul, Saint Jude Thaddeus’ School, to the victims of the Covid-pandemic, particularly to the late Fr. Isaac who died on April 30, 2021 , during the first wave of Covid-19. The author’s contributions have been published in Indian Catholic Matters, The New Leader, The Voice of Delhi, Dilli Vaani, JDV Times, The Indian Currents, The Herald, The Examiner, News and Views, Ishvani, Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection – VJRT, (Vidyajyoti College, Delhi), The Tablet (Brooklyn, USA), Golden Key – GKA, (Atlanta, USA), and Journal of the Council for Research on Religion – JCREOR, (School of Religious Studies, McGill University, Canada).