1
3305
The Second Vatican Council
Course description
The Second Vatican Council was the most significant ecclesiastical event of the twentieth century. It was a radically reforming ecclesiological exercise unlike any other ever seen among councils in the history of Christianity. Of these, there have been 21 ecumenical and general councils in total, not counting small provincial synods. Vatican II was the largest and textually most prolific assembly of Christian prelates and observers ever convoked. It was the most internationally representative, irenic in intention, and ecumenically-minded of any previous council. The majority of its voting participants were not Europeans. Unlike any previous synod, it did not issue a single denunciatory canon. No one was anathematized or excoriated as heretical by any of its decisions. Ceremonials accompanying the Council were televised. For the first time in human history, the workings of an episcopal assembly could be seen around the world by anyone interested to watch. Simultaneously, radio programmes informed an international audience of what transpired during each of the Council’s sessions.
Aims
The main aim of this course is to examine and discuss the origins, events, and consequences of the Second Vatican Council. The course will elaborate the modern historical context of the Council; consider its convocation and planning; examine its principal promulgations; and chart the hermeneutical disputes that arose in its wake as to how its decisions might best be interpreted and implemented. Consideration will also be given to the historical and theological uniqueness of Vatican II in relation to previous councils.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course students will have become:
- familiar with the major historical innovations, renovations of theologies, and concomitant religious practices promulgated by Vatican II.
- aware of significant modern theological and ecclesiastical developments prior to the Council, including the Liturgical Movement; the Modernist crisis;the Ecumenical Movement; the Priest-Worker Movement; and La Nouvelle Théologie.
- able to discuss critically the principal decisions and consequences of the Council;
- knowledgeable about the central arguments of pivotal conciliar texts.
Of the 16 constitutions, decrees, and declarations issued by the Council, eight weekly classes will discuss in more detail the following eight texts:
- The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
- The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
- The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
- The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
- The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People
- The Decree on Ecumenism
- The Declaration on Religious Liberty
- The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Each of these will be discussed in relation to the Reformation; Tridentine theologies; the French Revolution and the Enlightenment; and the history of modern ecclesiology.