The Second Vatican Council

A. Background on Vatican II 2

B. First Period of Vatican II 2

C. Second Period of Vatican II 3

D. Third Period of Vatican II 4

E. Fourth Period of Vatican II 4

II. Decisions and Ramifications 5

A. Unitatis Redintegratio: Ecumenism 5

B. Dignitatis Humanae: Natural Rights of Man 6

D. Perfectae Caritatis: The Adaptation and Renewal

E. Impact of Vatican II Reforms on Catholic Vocations 8

F. Dei Verbum: Dogmatic Constitution on

G. Modernization of Scripture Interpretation

H. Liberalization and Empowerment of the Faithful 10

A. An Incomplete Process of Reform 11

B. Infallibility of Church Doctrine 12

The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II)

Ever since the First Vatican Council, many within the Roman Catholic Church fought against what they viewed as modernist heresy. However, beginning in the 1950s, the traditional neo-scholasticism and biblical literalism in theological studies were being challenged by liberal trends. In addition to these pressures for reform, bishops worldwide were being challenged by significant political, social, economic, and technical change. Pope Pius XII proposed a Council to be f

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which St. Pius X had condemned. Further, a document also promoting natural rights for man known as Gaudium et Spes was constructed during Vatican II. According to De Nantes, the document ôexpresses a false principle when it regards human and Christian dignity as being a consequence of the Incarnation, which restored dignity for all men.ö Sacrifice of the Mass Vatican II also reformed the definition of the Sacrifice of the Mass. The definition approved by the Council of Vatican II defines the Mass as ôa service and a collegial, ecumenical communion.ö Many argued that such a definition of the Mass was such a profound change that it was more fitting for Protestantism than Catholicism. Many worried that such a change exaggerated the part played by the laity in Mass, relegating the priest to a role more like that of a president in a democracy. Critics of the reform argued that the place of the liturgy of the word has been given such importance by the Council that the Sacrifice has been obliterated in significance. Likewise, communion is thought by many to have been laicized, undermining faith and respect for transubstantiation. Some theologians like Michael J. Matt contend that the focus on the laity and cooperation has per
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