Major Documents of Vatican II
Comparison with Vatican I
- Vatican I: Resist changes brought by modernity, assert central authority of church
- Vatican II: Embrace changes brought by modernity, more openness to laity and outsiders
Document on the church
- Before: emphasis on “the church” is the Vatican, Pope, Bishops (mediation)
- After: emphasis on “the church” is community of all those called by God (communion)
Document on other Christian denominations
- Before: dangerous heretics
- After: God works through other Christian churches too
Document on other religions
- Before: other religions are wrong, error has no rights
- After: (some) truth and holiness can be found in other religions, respect for all
truth-seekers
More documents: on this world, on the liturgy, on the laity, on governments, on scripture,
on priests and nuns