Vatican II
In his 1956 work Lay People in the Church, Yves Congar identified a large gap between the passive laity portrayed in the 1917 Code of Canon Law and the secular activity that occurred in the world. He called for a "proper" theology of the laity, which necessitated embracing a "total ecclesiology."
With Congar's help, the Second Vatican Council officially did just that, marking a decisive shift in how the Roman Catholic Church understands itself and proclaims the role of the laity. The Church exists to bring the Gospel and its values to all people, and the primary way this occurs is through the work of lay people in their daily lives. Ordained ministers are called to form and minister to the faithful, in support of their work outside the walls of their parish.
This theological shift was a dramatic one for life-long Catholics who were used to considering their faith as private and their Church as a sanctuary from the profane world. The laity had also been conditioned to be simply recipients of the Church's ministries. The institution of the Church, particularly at the parish level, would have to change dramatically to support this new ecclesiology.
Vatican II changed many things, but our focus has largely been on the details. It is crucial that we understand why the changes happened. Because the Church changed the way it understands why it exists-- its core purpose-- the reason it does everything!
With Congar's help, the Second Vatican Council officially did just that, marking a decisive shift in how the Roman Catholic Church understands itself and proclaims the role of the laity. The Church exists to bring the Gospel and its values to all people, and the primary way this occurs is through the work of lay people in their daily lives. Ordained ministers are called to form and minister to the faithful, in support of their work outside the walls of their parish.
This theological shift was a dramatic one for life-long Catholics who were used to considering their faith as private and their Church as a sanctuary from the profane world. The laity had also been conditioned to be simply recipients of the Church's ministries. The institution of the Church, particularly at the parish level, would have to change dramatically to support this new ecclesiology.
Vatican II changed many things, but our focus has largely been on the details. It is crucial that we understand why the changes happened. Because the Church changed the way it understands why it exists-- its core purpose-- the reason it does everything!
Key Insights
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A New Light
The Second Vatican Council challenged us to see the Church and the world in a new light. It changed our very understanding of the Church and its role in the world. Where Ministry Happened
Ministry used to primarily be bounded by the walls of our Church buildings. Now the Church has no boundaries, and ministers in every human situation. |
The Church and the World
Before the Council, there was a dividing line between the Church (seen as sacred and holy) and the world (secular and profane). We came to church to escape the world. Now we see the world as essentially good, and a place where holiness happens. The Church is now inserted into the world to work within it (like yeast causing bread to rise from the inside). |
Salvation
The focus of the Church was on our personal salvation: getting Catholics into heaven. Now our focus is on the salvation of the whole world. Who Ministers
Ministry was performed by the ordained ministers-- priests-- who served lay recipients. Now the ministry is done by all of the people of God. We are all apostles! |
The modern world and the Church's relationship to it were considered in a new light in the years leading up to the Council. First, the world was no longer regarded as profane—in contrast to a sacred Church—but as essentially good. Second, the Church now desired to be in dialogue with the world to help solve its problems. The Church would now use natural law and appeal to human dignity, social justice, and morality to consider with others how the world could become a better place.
The Council also affirmed the value of inculturation, in particular the process of adapting the Gospel message to different languages and cultures. But this adaptation must occur in a deeper way than just translating words, as Paul VI later wrote:
The Council also affirmed the value of inculturation, in particular the process of adapting the Gospel message to different languages and cultures. But this adaptation must occur in a deeper way than just translating words, as Paul VI later wrote:
The individual churches— have the task of assimilating the essence of the Gospel message and of transposing it— into the language that these people understand—. And the word "language" should be understood here less in the semantic or literary sense than in the sense which one may call anthropological and cultural. [Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14]
Inculturation is central to the work of evangelization, and it must use the many ways people communicate with and relate to each other. While the term inculturation may be used most often with respect to liturgical rites, it more importantly applies to how one applies the faith to their daily living in a particular culture.
Vatican II's new perspective on engaging the modern world and mandate to effectively communicate the gospel message required a powerful workforce. The Council recognized that the laity had the unique competence and opportunity to put this vision into practice.
Vatican II's new perspective on engaging the modern world and mandate to effectively communicate the gospel message required a powerful workforce. The Council recognized that the laity had the unique competence and opportunity to put this vision into practice.
Cover image is in the public domain.