Omar Bennett
The four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council are key documents for understanding the Council, its decrees, and its declarations. The Second Vatican Council met from 1962 to 1965 and produced sixteen major documents: two dogmatic and pastoral constitutions, nine decrees, and three declarations. The four constitutions are: the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium; the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium; the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum; and the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of constitutions | 4 |
| Number of documents | 16 |
| Date of opening | 11 October 1962 |
| Date of conclusion | 8 December 1965 |
| Location | St. Peter's Basilica, Rome |
| Participants | Bishops from around the world, Pope St. John XXIII, Pope Saint Paul VI |
| Themes | "Pilgrims of Hope", "synodal Church", "communion", "participation", "mission" |
| Documents | Sacrosanctum Concilium, Lumen Gentium, Dei Verbum, Gaudium et spes |
| Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy | Sacrosanctum Concilium |
| Constitution on the Church | Lumen Gentium ("Light of the Nations") |
| Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation | Dei Verbum ("Word of God") |
| Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World | Gaudium et spes ("Joy and Hope") |
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What You'll Learn
- Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
- Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
- Dei Verbum: Constitution on Divine Revelation
- Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
- Nostra Aetate: Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 4 December 1963. The main aim was to revise the traditional liturgical texts and rituals to reflect more fully the fundamental principles and be more pastorally effective in the changed conditions of the times. This included clarifying the role of ordained ministers and the forms of appropriate participation of lay faithful in the Catholic Church's liturgy, especially that of the Roman Rite.
The document's official title is the "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy", but the recognised name of this constitution, "Sacrosanctum Concilium" in Latin, is taken from the first line (or incipit) of the document, which sets the objective of liturgical reform within the wider context of the sacred council's aims:
> To impart an ever-increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; [and] to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church.
The principles underlying the council's liturgical reforms were applicable to the Roman Rite and to the Eastern rites, although the practical norms set out in the constitution applied only to the Roman Rite. The council fathers established guidelines to govern the renewal of the liturgy, which included, allowed, and encouraged greater use of the vernacular (native language) in addition to Latin, particularly for biblical readings and other prayers.
The constitution also emphasised the importance of sacred music in enhancing the liturgy, noting that what is important is that it is worthy of what is being celebrated and that it lifts hearts and minds to God. The final chapter of Sacrosanctum Concilium is on Sacred Art and Furnishing of the Church building. The canons and ecclesiastical statutes that govern the provision of sacred worship should be revised, along with liturgical books, as soon as possible.
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Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
The Second Vatican Council, which took place between 1962 and 1965, produced sixteen documents, including four constitutions, nine decrees, and three declarations. One of the four constitutions is the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, also known as Lumen Gentium. This constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, and is considered one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council.
Lumen Gentium is divided into eight chapters, which can be grouped into four main themes. The first two chapters focus on the nature and historical existence of the church. It describes the church as the ""pilgrim people of God," aware of its long history and in touch with the "signs of the times." It also emphasizes that the church is like a "sacrament" or a "sign" of Christ, through which the light of Christ can be brought to all people.
Chapters three and four of Lumen Gentium discuss the different roles within the church. It starts with the Bishops, who are the successors of the Apostles, and then moves on to the clergy, laity, and religious. It emphasizes the importance of episcopal consecration and the passing on of spiritual gifts and power through the imposition of hands.
Chapters five and six of the constitution focus on holiness and religious life. It includes a chapter on the Universal Call to Holiness, which has been a significant aspect of the Second Vatican Council. This section emphasizes the role of the church in proclaiming and spreading the Kingdom of Christ and God on Earth.
The final two chapters of Lumen Gentium discuss the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It explains the role of Mary within the church and why devotion to her is encouraged as a way of honoring her Son, Jesus Christ.
Lumen Gentium is considered a significant document for the Catholic Church, providing a comprehensive explanation of the church's nature, mission, and various roles. It has influenced the church's understanding of its own identity and mission, particularly in relation to the modern world.
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Dei Verbum: Constitution on Divine Revelation
The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, also known as Dei Verbum, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 18 November 1965. The title, Dei Verbum, is Latin for "Word of God", taken from the first line of the document, as is customary for major Catholic documents.
Dei Verbum is considered by some to be "the most seminal of all the conciliar documents", with a focus on the Bible as the foundation of Christian life and teaching. It represents a shift from the theology manuals that confused "propositions about revelation with the content of revelation", to a focus on the abiding truths of faith.
One of the key themes identified in Dei Verbum by Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, is the new view of the phenomenon of tradition. This is reflected in the Constitution's statement on the close connection and communication between sacred Tradition and sacred Scripture, which, flowing from the same divine source, merge into a unity.
Another important aspect of Dei Verbum is its encouragement of frequent reading of divine Scriptures by all Christian faithful. It emphasises the importance of suitable and correct translations of the sacred texts into different languages, especially from the original texts. The document also highlights the role of prayer in accompanying the reading of Sacred Scripture, allowing "God and man to talk together".
Dei Verbum has been interpreted in different ways, with some seeing it as teaching the infallibility position, while others note that the document often quotes previous texts that suggest inerrancy.
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Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
The Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, took place between 1962 and 1965 and resulted in sixteen documents: four constitutions, nine decrees, and three declarations. One of the four constitutions is the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, known as 'Gaudium et Spes' (Latin for 'Joy and Hope').
'Gaudium et Spes' was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 7 December 1965, the same day the council ended. It was the last and longest published document from the council. It was also the first constitution published by a Catholic ecumenical council to address the entire world.
The constitution clarified and reoriented the role of the church's mission to people outside of the Catholic faith. It was the first time the church explicitly took responsibility for its role in the larger world. The document was created out of a fear that the church was becoming irrelevant in the modern era due to its ignorance of the problems that plague the modern world. It represents an inner examination of the church by the council and features a response to these modern problems.
'Gaudium et Spes' built on the understanding of the Church as the "pilgrim people of God" and as "communion", aware of the long history of the Church's teaching and in touch with the "signs of the times". It reflects the understanding that Baptism confers on all the task that Jesus entrusted to the Church, to be on mission to the world in ways that the present age can understand, in cooperation with the ongoing work of the Spirit.
The constitution covers a wide range of topics, including marriage and family, the development of culture, economics, politics, and peace and war. It emphasises the need for dialogue between believers and unbelievers, rejecting the distinction made by some state authorities between the two groups, which prejudices the fundamental rights of the human person. It also addresses the role of the laity, encouraging them to take on "his or her own distinctive role" in the modern world.
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Nostra Aetate: Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Nostra Aetate, or the "Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions", is one of the four constitutions of Vatican II, an ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. It was promulgated on 28 October 1965 by Pope Paul VI and passed the Council by a vote of 2,221 to 88 of the assembled bishops.
Nostra Aetate is a landmark document in the history of the Catholic Church, as it is the first to focus on the relationship between Catholics and Jews. It also holds significant importance in describing the Church's relationship with followers of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The declaration begins by acknowledging the increasing interconnectedness of people and the strengthening of ties between different communities in modern times. It emphasises the importance of unity, love, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
One of the key messages of Nostra Aetate is the recognition of positive elements in other religions. The declaration states that the Catholic Church "rejects nothing that is true and holy" in non-Christian religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. It encourages interreligious dialogue to overcome stereotypes and prejudices and foster cooperation and goodwill. The document also addresses antisemitism, stating that the Church "decries hatred, persecutions, [and] displays of anti-Semitism directed against Jews at any time and by anyone."
Nostra Aetate transformed the Catholic Church's attitude towards followers of other faiths, marking a shift towards positive recognition of other religions. This shift was so significant that Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI referred to it as the Magna Carta of the Church's new attitude towards other religions. The declaration continues to guide Catholics in building relationships based on mutual respect and collaboration with people of diverse beliefs.
The promulgation of Nostra Aetate led to concrete actions within the Catholic Church to implement this new approach. Pope Paul VI established the Secretariat for Non-Christians in 1964, which was later renamed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Dioceses and religious organisations worldwide initiated efforts to study other religions, engage in interfaith dialogues, and promote collaboration between Catholics and believers from other faiths.
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