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Pope St. John Paul II
The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council has been a gift of the Spirit to his Church. For this reason, it remains a fundamental event not only for understanding the Church’s history at this end of the century, but first and foremost for exploring the
abiding presence of the risen Christ beside his Bride in the course of world events.
Pope Francis
The Second Vatican Council was an extraordinary time of reflection, dialogue and prayer which aimed to renew the gaze of the Catholic Church on herself and on the world. [It involved] a reading of the signs of the times in view of an update oriented
by a twofold faithfulness: faithfulness to the ecclesial tradition and faithfulness to the history of the men and women of our time.
At the outset of the Council, key documents were introduced by the Vatican Curia, aiming to uphold existing traditions. As the Council advanced and matured in deliberation, these initial proposals were ultimately set aside. In response, the Council developed new writings that revitalised the Church’s mission and fostered renewed hope among Catholics and members of other Christian denominations.
The council was widely recognised as a productive and cohesive platform, especially in promoting dialogue and collaboration among different Christian denominations and faith traditions. In this capacity, it played a pioneering role by establishing avenues for enhanced interfaith dialogue and fostering opportunities for cooperation among various religious communities.
An important development involved shifting the perspective of the Catholic faith from a church-centered focus to a Christ-centered outlook within the context of the Holy Trinity, thereby reaffirming the integral role of the Holy Spirit within the faith tradition.
The core documents of the Council are as follows:
Gaudium et Spes – Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
Sacrosanctum Concilium – Constitution on the Liturgy
Dei Verbum – Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
Lumen Gentium – Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Ultimately, sixteen official documents were issued by the Council, promulgated by Pope St. Paul VI. Among these, four were designated as the primary constitutions.
During his homily commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council in October 2022, Pope Francis emphasized that the primary objective of the Council was not for the Church to pursue self-glorification, but rather to serve and engage with others. He encouraged the faithful to review the principles of the Council, which aimed to reconnect with the living tradition of the Church without becoming excessively rigid in adherence to tradition for its own sake. Additionally, he noted that the Council revitalised the understanding of love, urging the Church to go beyond lofty ideals and to become a consistent source of compassion and mercy for all individuals.
The designation of the Jubilee Year in 2025, along with a dedicated two-year preparatory period focusing on the Four Constitutions in the first year and prayer in the second year, provides a valuable opportunity for reflection and renewal. This initiative will allow us to deepen our appreciation for the significant legacy entrusted to us through the Council and, through a spirit of prayerful discernment and generosity, to thoughtfully consider the ongoing journey of the People of God.