What are processes and structures designed to do?
support the work and mission of the CC
Define ecumenical council
Universal council where members of the church gather to discuss and settle matters within church, typically relating to doctrine and practice, by voting on decisions to give guidance to church by responding to internal issues
Is a ecumenical council a structure or process
- Seen as structure itself, rely on other organisational structures within it not so much hierarchy
- Though several processes occur within it to aid functioning
Who called VII and why?
- Formed by Pope John XXXIII
o Allowed Church to be ‘expressed in the language and thought of the day’
o In hope to realign lost consistency in message of CC
After Pope John XXIII died, who took over
Pope Paul VI
When and where was VII
- Between October 1962 to September 1965
- St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome
Who was invited to VII
- Sent letters to bishops and universities around world asking for agenda items= internal issues
- 450 theologians, 1000 reporters, thousands of pilgrims, hundreds of protestants and Anglicans, and several other representatives from various religions.
Who was allowed to vote at VII
- 2908 internationally bishops (Council Fathers) were eligible
Explain the processes of VII
- Preparations
o Sending letters to bishops around world asking for agenda items= internal issues
o 8972 propositions= help of commissions= 73 final schemas, then final ten from pope - Four sessions
- Voting
o 1st + 2nd voting processes, tallied, majority
What was the outcomes of VII
- 16 Core Documents
- Response to issues
How (2) was VII used to address important events by a religion
- Consider their position in society at the present time
- Able to address pressing concerns or questions (such as spiritual concerns in regards to beliefs and practices of the church
What were three internal issues of the church prior to VII
- Womens role
- Outdated practices
- role of lay people
Explain the change in womens role
o Society saw increased independence and role of women, distancing from matriarchal
o =Pressure, conflicted with current structures of predominantly male dominance, and understandings as only males can be Priests
o Denied eligibility for ordination
Explain the change in outdated practices
o Causing church to become irrelevant (unable to achieve mission)
o Changes in Mass
♣ Displacement of Latin to vernacular languages: enabling people to communally and truly understand mass
♣ Introduction of Modern music
♣ Laity receive in hands, eliminating inferior
Explain the change in role of lay people
o Once inferiority, not express equality of all those baptized (not passive spectators but have own role)
o Greater role in mass, encouraged to learn scripture, uptake concern for social justice
What is the interplay between Australia and Vatican II
- Marriage > non catholics could marry
- Ecumenism > relationship w/ other faiths repaired
- Education > non catholic could teach in Catholic
- Addressed social trends in Australia at time
What was the overall goal for the Church in relation to people in society for VII and how did they do this
- make people relate more to the church + more accessible
- Role of Laity + Outdated practices
