Vatican Council: start of great innovations
It was the last decision-making assembly of all bishops of the Catholic world church: the Second Vatican Council. It was opened on October 11, 1962 – exactly 60 years ago. The procession of the Council Fathers and the opening session were broadcast worldwide. Millions of people follow this start.
“What began on that day has grown into the largest and most unprecedented reform of any global institution,” writes theologian Jozef Niewiadomski. The council became a “prelude to innovations” and that of Pope John XXIII.
Diverse reforms
Around 2,800 Council Fathers discussed in St. Peter’s Basilica how the church can proclaim its message under the conditions of the modern world and ideological pluralism. Further topics were a reform of the liturgy and priestly training, the unity of Christians and the reconciliation of church and Judaism. Over the course of three years, Kathpress – like all other media – was to publish hundreds of reports, summaries, documentation and messages from the Vatican about the deliberations and decisions of the Council Fathers. “Perhaps it is time, 60 years after the opening of the Council, to begin anew with a binding reading of the spirited texts,” said Bishop Hermann Glettler. He continues: “In any case, real ‘enthusiasm’ would do us no good in times of despondency and convulsive fixation on deficits and lack of resources. And also a ‘spirit of discernment’ in the many open questions that are pending today.”
spirit of optimism
For Niewiadomski the success of the council is not only in the person of the council pope John XXIII. (1881-1963) and Paul VI. (1897-1978), but in the fact that they made wise personal decisions, that the Council Fathers showed the courage to revolt against curial-conservative plans and that the Council theologians played a special role in the Council. If the prepared documents and preparatory work for the Council were still committed to a “mentality of stagnation”, the cardinal surveys of Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini (later Pope Paul VI), Archbishop Franz König (Vienna) and Archbishop Julius Döpfner (Berlin) important decisions in the direction of departure are shown. A feeling of optimism that Bishop Hermann Glettler still needs today: “The participation of lay people, women and men, in all church deliberations would probably be an impetus from the ‘spirit of the Council’. We cannot afford to play off one lay church and one clerical church against one another.”
Anniversary fair
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis will preside over the Mass to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of Vatican II in St. Peter’s Basilica itself. October 11 is also the memorial day of Pope John XXIII. (1958-1963), who convened the council.
For the anniversary, the Bishop of Innsbruck has one more wish for all believers: “Let’s put our trust in this Holy Spirit again on the 60th birthday of the Council!”
More news from Innsbruck can be found here