Reasons for Calling the Council

• 20th Century bloodiest in history

• World Wars, Depression• Cold War• Complete work of Vatican I• Recognize Church is no

longer European, but Global

Intentions

• Aggiornamento• Christ the fullness of

Revelation

Pope John XXIII

• Angelo Roncalli• Born in 1881• Joined the Priesthood• Made a Bishop in 1921• Sent to Greece and Turkey• 1953, Archbishop of Venice• 1958, elected Pope

Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani

• Number 1 choice for Pope in 1958

• Ultra conservative Faction of the Vatican

• Motto “Semper Idem”• Election of Roncalli over

Ottaviani reflect a desire for change

Structure of Vatican II

• Called by Pope John XXIII• Pope Paul VI• 2000-2500 bishops • 4 sessions• Met in fall• Subcommittees worked on

documents in winter and spring

Pope Paul VI: 1963-1978

Other notable Members

A True Ecumenical Council

• Invited other Christian denominations

• Other religious leaders present to observe

Results:

• 16 Major documents• Outlining new and updated

positions of the Church• Up to the Present, largely

defines the Church’s position

4 Constitutions

• Dei Verbum• Lumen Gentium• Gaudium Et Spes• Sacrosanctum Concilium

9 Decrees

• Ad Gentes• Apostolicam Actuositatem• Christus Dominus• Inter Mirifica• Optatem Totius• Presbyterorum Ordinis• Orientalium Ecclesiarum• Unitatis Redintegratio• Perfectae Caritatis

3 Declarations

• Gravissimum Educationis• Nostra Aetate• Dignitatus Humane

Legacy of Vatican II

• “End of the Constantine Era”• Global Church• Matthew 24:14 and 28:19