THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL:

A Review

Msgr. Rey Manuel S. Monsanto, HP, JCD

I. WHY THE CALL AND NEED TO REVIEW VATICAN II:

The Call of Benedict XVI:Apostolic Letter, Motu Proprio, “Porta Fidei”

(11 October, 2011)

Benedict XVI calls for “the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ” (no. 2)

He becomes more specific:

“We must rediscover a taste for feeding ourselves on the word of God, faithfully handed down by the Church, and on the bread of life, offered as sustenance for his disciples (cf. Jn 6:51)” (no. 3).

WHY THE NEED TO REDICOVER THE “JOURNEY OF FAITH”:

need to rediscover “the journey of faith” and the “taste for feeding ourselves on the word of God” because he says that today “a profound crisis of faith…has affected many people” (no. 2).

He says this because he sees that the actions Christians, more specifically the Catholics, do in the socio-politico-cultural fields are no longer based on Christian faith nor are products of such faith.

He claims that this faith cannot even be presupposed anymore, in fact, it is even denied:

“It often happens that Christians are more concerned for the social, cultural and political consequences of their commitment, continuing to think of the faith as a self-evident presupposition for life in society. In reality, not only can this presupposition no longer be taken for granted, but it is often openly denied.” (no.2)

The Ways He Proposes for this Rediscovery:

enumerates in his motu proprio two main ways for the rediscovery of the journey of faith:

1. The Proclamation of Celebration of the Year of Faith

2. The Convocation of the Synod of Bishops

Celebration of the Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013)

to coincide with: the commemoration of the fiftieth

anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council

commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (CCC) (no. 4)

The former was solemnly opened on October 11, 1962

The latter was published on October 11, 1992

His proposal, therefore:to re-study the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (of which there is now a

“Compendium”).

General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2012)

its theme: “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith”

The Pope says: the Synod with its theme “will be a good

opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith” (no. 4).

Other Ways Proposed:

“the witness offered by the lives of believers: by their very existence in the world, Christians are called to radiate the word of truth that the Lord Jesus has left us” (n. 6); the “need for stronger ecclesial commitment to new evangelization… to rediscover the joy of believing and the enthusiasm for communicating the faith” (no. 7);

“the arousal “in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.” (no. 9); the intensification of “the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist” (no. 9); the intensification of “the witness of charity”: “Faith without charity bears no fruit, while charity without faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubt” (no. 14).

II. THE NEED TO RESTUDY SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL:

Suffice it here to quote the words of Pope Benedict XVI in “Porta Fidei” who, in inviting us to revisit and reread the documents of Vatican II, quotes the words of Bl. John Paul II in the latter’s Apostolic Letter “Novo Millennio Ineunte” (NMI) (no. 57) that spiritually ushered the Jubilee Year 2000 and the third millennium:

“It seemed to me that timing the launch of the Year of Faith to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council would provide a good opportunity to help people understand that the texts bequeathed by the Council Fathers, in the words of Blessed John Paul II, ‘have lost nothing of their value and brilliance. They need to be read correctly, to be widely known and taken to heart as important and normative texts of the Magisterium, within the Church’s Tradition … I feel more than ever in duty bound to point to the Council as the great grace bestowed on the Church in the twentieth century: there we find a sure compass by which to take our bearings in the century now beginning’”

Benedict XVI adds emphasis to the words of his Blessed Predecessor: “I would also like to emphasize strongly what I had occasion to say concerning the Council a few months after my election as Successor of Peter: “if we interpret and implement it guided by a right hermeneutic, it can be and can become increasingly powerful for the ever necessary renewal of the Church” (Address to the Roman Curia, Dec. 22, 2005, AAs 98 (2006), 52) (“Porta Fidei”, no. 5).

IMPORTANCE OF THE VATICAN COUNCIL:

VATICAN II IN THE MINDS OF BL. JOHN XXIII, PAUL VI

AND THE COUNCIL FATHERS:

a. Bl. John XXIII

Apostolic Constitution “Humanae Salutis”, 25 December 1961, convoking the Vatican II:

“Today the Church is witnessing a crisis under way within society. While humanity is on the verge of a new era, tasks of immense gravity and amplitude await the Church. It is a question in fact of bringing the modern world into contact with the vivifying and perennial energies of the gospel….. This is why modern society is earmarked by a great material progress to which there is not a corresponding advance in the moral field.”

“In the face of this twofold spectacle – a world which reveals a grave state of spiritual poverty and the Church of Christ , which is still so vibrant with vitality – we, from the time we ascended to the supreme pontificate, despite our unworthiness and the by means of the impetus of Divine Providence, have felt immediately the urgency of the duty to call our sons together, to give the Church the possibility to contribute more efficaciously to the solution of the problem of the modern age.

in his “Opening Speech” to the Council on October 11, 1962, he spelled out where the Council can aid the Church in “updating” herself where required in order to contribute morally in the present progress of humanity: ( Italian: “aggiornamento”)

“Illumined by the light of the Council, the Church… will become greater in spiritual riches and, confidently gaining the strength of new energies therefrom, she will look to the future without fear. In fact, by bringing herself up to date where required, and by the wise organization of mutual cooperation, the Church will make men, families, and peoples really turn their minds to heavenly things.” (Abbot, op. cit., p. 712)

b. the Council Fathers in their “Message to Humanity” issued at the beginning of the

Council (October 20, 1962):

“In this assembly, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we wish to inquire how we ought to renew ourselves, so that we may be found increasingly faithful to the gospel of Christ. We shall take pains so to present to the men of this age God’s truth in its integrity and purity that they may understand it and gladly assent to it.

“…we as pastors devote all our energies and thoughts to the renewal of ourselves and the flocks committed to us, so that there may radiate before all men the lovable features of Jesus Christ, who shines in our hearts ‘ that God’s splendor may be revealed’” (Abbot, op. cit., pp. 3 – 4).

c. Paul VI in his “Closing Message” to the Council Fathers

“The hour for departure and separation has sounded. … you are about to leave the Council assembly to go out to meet mankind and to bring the good news of the gospel of Christ and of the renovation of His Church at which we have been working together for four years.

“This is a unique moment… In this universal assembly… there converged together the past, the present, and the future – the past: for here… we have the Church of Christ with her traditions, her history, her Councils, her doctors, her saints; the present: for we are taking leave… to go out toward the world of today with its miseries, its sufferings, its sins, but also with its prodigious accomplishments, its values, its virtues; and lastly the future is here in the urgent appeal of the peoples of the world for more justice, in their will for peace, in their conscious or unconscious thirst for a better life, that life precisely which the Church of Christ can and wishes to give them.” (Abbot, op. cit., p. 728)

(Paul VI has also said that the Council has given the Church a fresh way of looking at things; in Latin a “novus habitus mentis” (“a new attitude of mind”, broadly translated: “a new mental paradigm”), which is to be employed even in the crafting if the laws of the Church – the revision of the Code was still on hold then.)

VATICAN II:

The Ecclesiological Spirit of the Council:

Authors have agreed that this picture of the Church that has emerged from Vatican II has been markedly different from the Church of Trent (1543 – 1565) and Vatican I (1870) which pictured the Church as a permanent unchangeable institution set upon the immovable rock of Peter, and that those outside her cannot attain salvation (“extra Ecclesiam nulla salus”).

The Church of Vatican II:

i. A “Mystery”, A “Sacrament”: that is, she is “imbued with the hidden presence of God” (Paul VI); she is the visible, communal sign of the invisible and renewing

presence of God in the world.

ii. The “People of God”: that is, it is foremost a people, a community of believers (the

baptized). Then, of course, it is also an institution (LG 8)

(not heirarchy, not structure; in fact, though bigger than the Catholic

Church (baptized), subsists in her)

iii. A “Communion”: that is, a loving relationship

between God and people (vertical dimension) and between persons among themselves or with one another (horizontal dimension).

iv. A “Servant”: that is, she is at the service of

humanity in her preaching and sacramental celebrations as well as in the socio-politico-economic world.

v. Open to “dialogue”: with the world (GS), with other ecclesial communities in

ecumenism (UR), with non-christian faiths (NA), with social communications (IM).

Some Important Dates and Outputs, and Surrounding

Historical Events:

(We will now present some historical secular and religious events that surrounded Vatican II from its announcement to its last session.)

a. 1959, January 25:

Bl. John XXIII announced:

- the intention to convene an Ecumenical Council, the Second Vatican Council (the 21st Ecumenical Council); - at the same time he also announced the holding of a Roman Synod (for the Diocese of Rome) - and the Revision of the Code of Canon Law.

Some Noteworthy Events that year:

Fidel Castro became the Premier of Cuba

Karl Barth published his “Dogmatica in Outline”

b. 1960: June 5

Bl. John XXIII issued a Motu Proprio “Superno Dei Nutu”:

establishing the Preparatory Commissions and Secretariats to prepare the draft documents for the forthcoming Council.

Some Noteworthy Events that year:

John F. Kennedy was elected (first Catholic) President of U.S.A.Belgian Congo was given independenceRussia shot down a U-2 spy plane of

U.S.A.

c. 1961, December 25 (Christmas Day):

Pope formally convoked the Council with his Apostolic Constitution “ Humanae salutis”.

Some Noteworthy Events that Year:

Archbishop Michael Ramsey was named Archbishop of CanterburyA Meeting of the World Council of Churches was held in DelhiThe Berlin Wall was put up (to be put down during the Pontificate of Bl. John Paul II)The United Nations condemned the “apartheid”President Kennedy inaugurated the “Peace Corps”U.S.A. unsuccessfully invaded Cuba at the Bay of PigsYuri Gagarin, a Russian, had the historical orbiting of the worldAlan Shepard, an American, made the first US space flight

d. 1962, September 5:with the Motu Proprio “Appropinquante Concilio”, the Norms of the Council were establishedOctober 11 – December 8: First session started.October 11: The Council was solemnly opened with a solemn procession of all the Council Fathers into St. Peter’s Basilica where the sessions were held. October 20: Council Fathers issued “A Message to Humanity”December 8: First Session closed with no document issued

John XXIII made these declarations in his opening address to the Council : “Gaudet Mater Ecclesia”, declaring among other things:- Rejection of “prophets of doom” forecasting disaster for world and church- The Council is to stress the “pastoral”, not

doctrinal, nature of the Church- The teaching of Christ’s message in the

light of the ever-changing trends of the world

Some Noteworthy Events that Year:

Uganda and Tanganyika became independentPrize was given for medicine and Physiology for the determination of the molecular structure of DNA

e. 1963, June 3:

Bl. John XXIII died (Council automatically suspended)

June 21: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini was elected Pope and carried the name: Paul VI;

September: he announced the continuation of the Council

September 29 – December 4: Second Session resumed.

September 29: Paul VI emphasized these 4 points in his opening address:- Fuller definition of the Church and the

role of the Bishops- Renewal of the Church- Restoration of unity among Christians,

including asking pardon on part of the Catholic Church for contributing to the separation

- Staring dialogue with contemporary world

November 8:

a dramatic incident in Council Hall: between Cardinal Josef Frings of Germany (aided by his “peritus” J. Ratzinger) criticized the Holy Office and drew impassioned defense

from Cardinal Alfredo Ottavianni, its Secretary

December 4: “Sacrosanctum Concilium” (SC) was issued

(Constitution on the renewal of Church Liturgical celebrations“Inter Mirifica” (IM) was issued (Instruction

on Use of Social Communications)

(These were the first documents to be published.)

Second Session concluded.

Some noteworthy Events that Year:

Marin Luther King was arrested Freedom Marchers marched to Washington to protest discriminationPresident J. F. Kennedy was assassinatedKenya became independentTreaty on Ban of Nuclear Test was signed by U.S.A., Russia and England(Morris West published his celebrated novel: “The Shoes of the Fisherman”; (Beetlemania started)

f. 1964, September 14 – November 21:

Third Session of the Council.

Paul VI formally made known to the world the process of “dialogue” in his encyclical “Ecclesiam Suam”.

November 21: “Lumen Gentium” (LG) was issued (the landmark dogmatic Constitution on the Church)“Orientalium Ecclesiarum” (OE) was issued (the Decree on the relation of the Latin Church with the Catholic Eastern Churches) “Unitatis Redintegratio” (UR) was issued (the Decree on Ecumenism or relation of Church with Non-Catholic Christians)Title of Mary as Mother of the Church was re-affirmed by the Pope. New laws on Eucharistic fast.

Some Noteworthy Events that Year:

Paul VI made ecumenical journey to Holy Land and met Athenagoras (Jan. 4 -6)

Secretariat for Non-Christian Religions created (May 17)

UN Peace Force took over in CyprusU.S.A. attacked coasts and bases of North VietnamIn U.S.A. race riots sprouted against civil rights

laws

g. 1965, September 14 – December 8:

Fourth Session of the Council

September 15: The Episcopal Synod was

established with its governing Norms with the Motu proprio “Apostolica Sollicitudo”.

October 28:“Christus Dominus” (CD) was issued (the Decree

on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church)“Perfectae Caritatis” (PC) was issued (the Decree

on the Renewal of Religious Life)“Optatam Totius” (OT) was issued (the Decree on

the Training of Priests)“Gravissimus Educationis” (GE) was issued (the Declaration on Christian Education)“Nostra Aetate” (NA) was issued (October 28): Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions)

November 18:

“Dei Verbum” (DV) was issued (the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation)“Apostolicam Actuositatem” (AA) was issued (the dignity-setting Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People)

December 4: Prayer Service for Christian Unity held at Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

December 7: “Dignitatis Humanae” (DH) was issued (the bold

Declaration on Religious Liberty)“Ad Gentes” (AG) was issued (the Decree on the

Missionary Activity of the Church)“Presbyterorum Ordinis” (PO) was issued (the

Decree on the Life and Ministry of the Priest)“Gaudium et Spes” (GS) was issued (the revolutionary, pace-setting Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World)

(Thus, all the 16 conciliar documents were finished the day before the solemnly ending of the historical Vatican Council. The most fruitful in terms of output was the fourth and last session that produced 11 documents.)

December 8: Vatican II was solemnly closed.

Extraordinary Jubilee Year proclaimed: to familiarize the faithful with the

teachings of the Council

Some Noteworthy Events that Year:

Paul VI addressed UN Assembly in New York (first for a Pope) (Oct. 4 - 5)

Pope formed the Papal Commission for the Media of Social CommunicationsChanged the name and the procedures of the

“Holy Office” to: Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Made permanent the Secretariats for the “Promotion of Christian Unity”, for “Non-Catholic Religions”, for Non-Believers

In U.S.A.:

- Martin Luther King, Jr. led marchers (around 4,000) from Selma to Montgomery);- Thousands participated in a demonstration led by students against US bombing of North Vietnam

(In the movies: “The Sound of Music”)

SOME OTHER FACTS ON THE COUNCIL:

a. On the Documents:

The Council came up with 16 very important documents:

1 “Dogmatic Constitution” (LG), 1 “Pastoral Constitution” (GS), 2 Constitutions (SC and DV), 9 “Decrees” (OT, IM, AG, UR, OE, CD, PO,

AA, and PC), and 3 “Declarations” (GE, NA, and DH)

Four (4) key documents are: LG, GS, SC and DV

also to be added for me:AA: This has started a very visible and active participation of the greater part of the Church: the laity. That is why these days, there is constant talk of lay empowerment in the Church, including empowerment of women in the Church. Also to be added are: DH, NA, and even PO.

Important “Post-Conciliar Documents”:Documents that translated into concrete the teachings of the Council

The more notable of them are: a) The revised “Code of Canon Law” (CIC)

(1983) and b) the “Catechism of the Catholic Church”

(CCC) (1992). Bl. John Paul II promulgated both calling them the 17th and 18th documents of Vatican II respectively.

b. On the Participants:compared to the times of the celebrations of the past ecumenical councils: it had the most number of participants. - 2,860 bishops participated- Around 274 bishops working in communist countries or repressive regimes either were not allowed by their governments to attend or were afraid- Each bishop was allowed an aide, a translator (since the sessions were in Latin), and a “peritus” (expert).

This is the first ecumenical council where even lay persons and non-Catholics were invited as observers (non-voting status): 63 Protestant, Orthodox and Jewish religious leaders; and 52 lay men and women.

This action showed the ecclesiological attitude that was the basis of the Council and the path that it pursued.

At that time, Karol Woytyla (future John Paul II) was a participant as Archbishop of Krakow; while Joseph Ratzinger (future Benedict XVI) was a theological “peritus” together with friend then and now later rival theologian, Hans Kung, Yves Congar, OP, Avery Dulles, Edwars Schillebexck, etc.

Participation of Bishops from the Philippines:

A total of 49 delegates from the Philippines led then by the lone cardinal, Rufino Cardinal Santos of Manila, participated in the Council Sessions.

actually only 48 bishops the 49th was a layman who was a lay

observer: Mr. Jose Maria Hernandez.

Participation from Cagayan de Oro:The late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, DD, who was then Co-Adjutor Archbishop

cis, attended for Cagayan de Oro; then Archbishop James T. G. Hayes,

SJ, DD was one of the 3 bishops from the Philippines who opted not to

attend. The late Archbishop Patrck H. Cronin, DD

was at that time still the Bishop of Ozamis.

GOOD SOURCES ON VATICAN II:

“Documents of Vatican II”, edited by J. H. Kroeger, MM, “Paulines Publishing House”, Philippines, in 2011.“The Documents of Vatican II”, edited by Walter

Abbott, SJ, Guild Press, New York, 1966 “Vatican Council II”, edited by Austin Flannery,

OP (with 2 volumes, both containing immediate post-conciliar documents), Costello Publishing Co., New York, 1981 ed.

“Normae Executivae Concilii Oecumenici Vaticani II”, F. Romita (a «peritus»), 2 volumes, Naples, 1973

“Council Speeches of Vatican II”, edited by H. Kung, Y. Congar, OP, D. O’Hanlon, SJ, Paulist Press, New Jersey, 1964.

“Ecclesiology of Vatican II”, B. Kloppenburg, OFM, Franciscan Herald Press, Chicago, 1974.