FIRST
VATICAN
COUNCIL
(1869)
Longest reigning elected
pope in the history of the
Catholic Church
Orchestrated Council on
June. 29, 1868
Settled dispute between
Dominicans and Franciscans
over Immaculate
conception
Favoured the Franciscans
view
This raised the topic of
papal infallibility
The Council
Dec. 8, 1869 - Oct.20, 1870
The council was started to deal with rationalism,
materialism & liberalism
Approx. 700 Fathers met
86 general congregations & 4 public sessions
Discussed contemporary philosophical theories
Connection between faith & science
51 proposed degrees
Discussed principles of Christian religion (Catechism)
Adjourned due to occupation of Roman by troops
of Victor Emmanuel II
Discussion of two constitutions
Dogmatic Constitution On The Catholic Faith and
First Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ
Victor Emmanuel II
Victor Emmanuel was
the first king of
unified Italy. He
reigned as King of
Sardinia from 1849 to
1861, and was
proclaimed King of
Italy after the Second
War of Italian
Independence.
Papal Infallibility
Dogma of Catholic Church
Discussion about whether the Pope can make
biblical decisions without the Bishop's consent
One of four doctrines of Catholic faith
Bishops divided into three groups
One group argued all papal teachings were infallible
Another group was interested in strengthening papal
authority
Minority of bishops opposed the definition of papal
infallibility
Dei Filius
Beginning of dogmatic constitution of
Catholic church
Teaching of The Catholic Church
Teaching of God, revelation, faith & reason
Adopted on April 24, 1870
Opening words "Sancta Romana Catholica
Ecclesia"
Pastor Aeternus
Defines 4 doctrines of the Catholic faith
Doctrines concerning faith or morals to
be held by the whole Church
Dogmatic constitution states that the
Pope has: "full and supreme power of
jurisdiction over the whole Church"
Some bishops (mostly German) formed
the Old Catholic Church as a form of
protest
Suspension of the council
Outbreak of Franco-Prussian War
interrupted council
Suspended following capture of Rome
German advance and capture of
Emperor
Piedmontese troops occupied Rome.
France could not protect Pope
Never resumed
Never officially closed
Possible Relocating & Reopening of Council
After the council closed, Pope Pius IX
considered leaving Rome
Thought of reopening the council
elsewhere
This council marked the beginning of the
Ultramontanism movement
In 1962, A second Vatican Council was
formed
The second
vatican council
(1962- 1965
In 1958 Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli
was elected Pope and took the name John
XXIII. He was a jolly man who enjoyed
people and a good joke. He was also a
serious student of history. He realized that
the Church needed a new approach to the
people of the world that she was called to
serve. Pope Saint John XXIII called Vatican
Council II, an Ecumenical Council, to
address the role of the Church in the world
in light of modern issues.
Vatican Council II included 2,450 voting delegates
from around the world.
Nonvoting attendees included a broad range of
advisers and observers, such as
Protestant church leaders
Orthodox church leaders
Lay theologians, including women
Pope Saint John XXIII called Vatican Council II to
ensure that the Church would continue to carry
the message of the Gospel into a changing world
in new and pastoral ways.
Our duty is not only to guard this precious
treasure, as if we were concerned only with
antiquity, but to dedicate ourselves with an
earnest will and without fear to that work
which our era demands of us, pursuing thus
the path which the Church has followed for
twenty centuries
Between the first and second
sessions of the Council, Pope Saint
John XXIII died. Cardinal Giovanni
Montini was elected Pope Paul VI.
Pope Paul VI guided Vatican
Council II to its completion and
oversaw the early efforts to
implement the Council's changes
and reforms, such as changes in
the liturgy.
Vatican Council II produced three types of official
documents;
Constitutions- concerned doctrine and dogma;
restated teachings in modern language
Decrees- concerned renewal of some aspect of
Church life; required further action
Declarations- provuide general instructions on
vital topics in the Church and the world, with the
implementations of local bishops
Aaron Loeb 12 March 2030
The Four Constitutions of Vatican II
1.Constitution on sacred Liturgy ( Sacramentum
Concilium)- Reaffirms the litugy as the source of
summit of Christian life and calls for changes to
encourage the full and active participation of the
faithful.
2.Dogmatic constitution on the Church( Lumen
Gentium)- Defines the church as the people of God.
3. Dogmatic constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum)-
Recalls that God has revealed himself to grant us as share in divine
life. Encourages all people to study all Scripture, and affirms the
role of the Magisterium in its authentic interpretation.
4. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
(Gaudium et Spes)- Expesses pastoral concern for the joys,
hopes, grief, and anguish of the modern world. Reiterates the
dignity of the human person and the need for social justice and
service.
The Nine Decrees of Vatican II
1.Decree of the Mass Media ( Inter Merifica)- Explains that
the journalism has a responsibility to lead people down the
path of good , not evil.
2.Decree of the Catholic Church of the Eastern Rite
(Orientarium Ecclesiarium)- Recognizes the authonomy
and liturgical practices of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
3. Decree of Ecumenism ( Unitatis Redintegratio)- Calls
Catholics to appreciate Christian values found in the other
faiths as well as the Catholic Church.
4. Decree on the Bishop’s Pastoral office (Christus
Dominus)- Describes a Bishop’s role in the universal Church,
in his local churches, and in cooperation for the common
good.
5. Decree on the Appropriate Renewal of Religious Life
(Perfectae Caritatis)- The renewal of religious life (a life lived
according to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and
obedience) must be based on the Gospel, the original
purposes of the community and the changed conditions of
the times.
6. Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests
(Presbyterorum Ordinis) -Priests are members
of a presbytery in union with a bishop and with him
serve the building up of Christ's body.
7. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam
Actuositatem)-Encourages laypeople to renew the world
as ambassadors of Christ.
8. Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church (Ad
Gentes)- Provides guidance to those engaged in
t
missionary work throughout the world.
9. Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests
(Presbyterorum Ordinis)-Provides guidance for priests to
adapt to modern challenges and opportunities.
The Three Declarations of Vatican II
1. Declaration on Non-Christian Religions (Nostra
Aetate)- God speaks also through other religions, so we
should engage in dialogue and other collaborative efforts
with them. The Jews have a special relationship to the
Church. They cannot be blamed as a people for the death of
Jesus.
2. Declaration on Religious Freedom (Dignitatis
Humanse) No one is to be forced in any way to embrace the
Christian or the Catholic faith. This principle is rooted in
human dignity and the freedoms of the act of faith."
3. Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum
Educationis) Education must be broadly humane and up-to-
date, with a concern for personal maturity and social
responsibility.
CONCLUSION
Despite certain disagreements and the need to adapt to modern times,
the Church reaffirmed its commitment to reform during the Second
Vatican Council. Analogous to an individual maturing in knowledge and
wisdom, the Catholic Church, while acknowledging its imperfections,
remains steadfast in its mission to bring Jesus Christ to all. It has
embraced the positive aspects of the modern world and recognized its
role in evangelization, celebrating the fundamental unity that binds all
individuals, irrespective of ideological, social, or religious differences—
significant changes that have enabled the Catholic Church to extend its
welcome to all.
