What happened at Vatican II / the Second Vatican Council?

Answer

The Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican II, was convened in 1962 to address specific issues within the Catholic Church. The council was summoned by Pope John XXIII on October 11, 1962, and concluded under Pope Paul VI on December 8, 1965. One of the objectives of Vatican II was to clarify the church’s role in the broader world context. Due to cultural shifts influenced by modernism and postmodernism, it was deemed necessary for the church to modernize its practices to better connect with contemporary society. As Pope John XXIII expressed, the church needed to “open the windows and allow fresh air to come in.”

A key focus of Vatican II was ecumenism, which pertains to the Catholic Church’s relationship with other religions and Christian denominations. The Second Vatican Council adopted a more open approach towards other faith communities, emphasizing dialogue and outreach. Additionally, Vatican II emphasized the significance of the “Paschal Mystery” in Catholicism, encompassing Christ’s passion, death, resurrection, and glorification. This emphasis facilitated a closer bond between Evangelical or Protestant churches and the Catholic Church. Changes introduced during Vatican II included incorporating contemporary music into church services, modifying the liturgy (such as allowing the officiant to face the congregation during Mass instead of having their back turned), and conducting Mass in languages understandable to all, rather than solely in Latin. Vatican II also abolished restrictions on Catholics reading a Protestant Bible and attending Protestant services. Overall, the Second Vatican Council aimed to make the church more accessible to the laity and foster better relationships with Jews and non-Catholics.

Despite the significant transformations brought about by the Second Vatican Council,

Made to its administrative processes, the Vatican was careful not to alter its doctrine during Vatican II. The council affirmed the longstanding Catholic belief that the Roman Church is the sole true church. However, it did extend a friendly gesture to Protestants by acknowledging that other churches may possess some elements of truth and by referring to Protestants as “separated brethren.” Pope Paul VI, who supervised the latter sessions of Vatican II, introduced a new doctrine that recognized Mary as “the Mother of the Church.” Ultimately, the Vatican II Council modernized the liturgy to make the church more appealing to the twentieth-century world, yet Catholicism remains unchanged, with all its erroneous teachings.

Reformed theologian Loraine Boettner, a contemporary of Vatican II who closely examined it, stated that the council “clearly indicates that Rome has no plans to revise any fundamental doctrines, but only to modernize its methods and techniques for more effective administration and a more appealing presentation. This effort aims to facilitate the return of the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant churches to Catholicism. There is no sign that Rome intends to engage in genuine discussions for church unity. Its goal is not unity but assimilation. Any union with Rome is strictly one-sided. The longstanding threat that Protestantism has faced from the Roman Church has not diminished; in fact, it may have intensified. Through this less confrontational stance and superficial ecumenism, Rome is better positioned to eliminate opposition and advance toward global dominance. An infallible church cannot truly repent” (from the preface of Roman Catholicism, 1985).