ENCYCLICALS

• Circular letter• Addresses Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops• Addresses Bishops of the Universal Church• Addresses matters that affect the welfare of the

church at large• Documents that are written in order to address

and speak to the needs of the times, such as, Vatican II documents

EXAMPLES

• GAUDIEM ET SPES- THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD

• PACEM IN TERRIS- PEACE ON EARTH

• POPULORUM PROGRESSIO- THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLES

• HUMANAE VITAE- OF HUMAN LIFE

How Not to Read Encyclicals

1. They are not an exercise in speed reading

2. They are not just to be read

3. Reading it once is not enough

How to Read Encyclicals

1. Have a Bible and a dictionary on hand2. They are to be studied3. They have been written for the Universal

Church4. For the first time reader: a. use them for Spiritual reading b. meditate on them c. check out the Scriptural references

PASTORAL LETTERS

• Open letter addressed by a Bishop to the Clergy or Laity of his Diocese

• Contains either general admonition, instruction, consolation

• Directions for behavior in particular circumstances

• Sent out regularly at particular ecclesiastical seasons such as Fasts (Advent or Lent)

• Often called a Pastoral

EXAMPLES• PASTORAL STATEMENT OF U.S.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NOV. 16, 1978

• PASTORAL STATEMENT FOR CATHOLICS ON BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM – NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS AD HOC COMMITTEE ON BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM

VATICAN II DOCUMENTS1962- 1965

• THERE ARE 16 DOCUMENTS :

• 4 CONSTITUTIONS:THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE DOCUMENTS

DEI VERBUM- DIVINE REVELATION

LUMEN GENTIUM- CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH

GAUDIUM ET SPES- CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD

SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM- SACRED LITURGY

NINE DECREES• INTER MIRIFICA- MEANS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION• ORIENTALIUM ECCLESIARUM- CATHOLIC CHURCHES

OF THE EASTERN RITE• UNITATIS REDINTEGRATIO- ECUMENISM• CHRISTUS DOMINUS- PASTORAL OFFICE OF BISHOPS

IN TH CHURCH• PERFECTAE CARITATIS- RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS

LIFE• OPTATUM TOTIUS- PRIESTLY TRAINING• APOSTOLICAM ACTUOSITATEM- APOSTOLATE OF THE

LAITY• AD GENTES- MISSION ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH• PRESBYTERORUM ORDINIS- MINISTRY AND LIFE OF

PRIESTS

THREE DECLARATIONS

• GRAVISSIMUM EDUCATIONIS- CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

• NOSTRA AETATE- RELATION OF THE CHURCH TO NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS

• DIGNITATIS HUMANAE- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

LUMEN GENTIUM“LIGHT OF THE NATIONS”• SECULAR FRANCISCANS ARE

ENCOURAGED TO READ LUMEN GENTIUM• ALSO CALLED “DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION

ON THE CHURCH”• FR. BENET A. FONCK, OFM RECOMMENDS

THIS DOCUMENT IN HIS FORMATION BOOK “FULLY MATURE WITH THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST”

• ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II

CHAPTERS OF LUMEN GENTIUM

• 1) THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH• Describes how the church flows out of the life of the

Trinity.• Offers a variety of Biblical images for the church. The

church is like a sheepfold, farm, field, building, God’s Temple etc.

• 2) ON THE PEOPLE OF GOD• It was favored over the more abstract view of the church

as the mystical body of Christ• The threefold work of Christ as priest, prophet and king

illuminates the work of the whole people of God

CHAPTERS OFLUMEN GENTIUM

3) HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH The most hotly debated issue in this document was the issue of

collegiality. Emphasized the particular church (diocese) and the role of the

Bishop Restores the diaconate as a permanent order in the church and

opens it up to married men

4) LAITY Members of the faithful that are not in holy orders or religious life

Secular characteristic “ it is the special vocation of the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.

lay people typically work in the world, raise families, and hold secular jobs.

CHAPTERS OF LUMEN GENTIUM

• 5) THE UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS IN THE CHURCH

• This is for all peoples and love is the way we respond to this call

• 6) RELIGIOUS• Members of religious orders embrace these ideals in a

public and permanent way.• They are a sign to the world ,a witness that inspires the

whole church to holiness

CHAPTERS OFLUMEN GENTIUM

• 7) THE PILGRIM CHURCH• Eschatological nature of the church• We are a pilgrim people, still on the way to the reign of

God

• 8) OUR LADY• Mary is a big part of Christ’s work in salvation• Mary also is one of the first disciples

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS?

• 1) WHAT IMAGES OF THE CHURCH RESONATE WITH YOU? WHY?

• 2) ARE YOU DRAWN MORE TO THE MODEL OF THE CHURCH AS PEOPLE OF GOD OR CHURCH AS COMMUNION?

• 3)WHAT TEACHINGS DO YOU SEE AS ESSENTIAL TO THE FAITH?

• 4) WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF CHURCH LIFE IN YOUR OWN PARISH OR DIOCESE THAT CALL FOR GREATER COLLABORATION?