Vatican II

Vatican II came to a shock to the whole world, especially when Pope John XXIII announced it. This was to bring unity within the Church and for the Church to be up to date.[1] Many bishops were against this because they saw just as something that was going to repeat itself. The call for Vatican II was done at good timing because the world was at the brink of technological achievements. Pope John wanted to let in fresh air into the Church, so in a way, he opened them for everyone. Pope John also wanted a new revival within the Church, such as a new Pentecost. [2] Sadly pope John XXIII would pass away in 1963 after the first session. 

 Pope Paul VI is then the new pope and continues the work of his predecessor Pope John XXIII. His job was now to "oversee the implementation of the council bringing it from documents on paper into the reality of the life of the Catholic Church".[3] Vatican II documents show how the Church wants to promote unity through active participation and calling for social justice. the first immediate change that was done after Vatican II was the mass. This would allow the laity to actively participate during mass. The church also brought the permanent deacons and the RCIA program. The relationship with other Christians was also a big thing for the Church to bring unity from our separated brothers and sisters. The Achievements of Vatican II was to establish a positive relationship with non-Christians and the modern world.[4] Many religious men and women got to renew their religious orders and the laity had this sense of responsibilities. After Vatican II there were movements that were set in motion which then were approved by Pope Paul VI in 1975.[5] One of these big movements was the Charismatic Renewal which was seen by the Church as the work of the Holy Spirit. 

`The problem with Vatican II was not her documents by the confusion it brought to both religious and laity. Many Catholics were worried especially pope John XXIII because he "opened the window" which means that he allowed the Holy Spirit to enter but also evil thing could have been blown into the Church also. [6] This confusion caused many priests and religious to leave because they misinterpreted the documents thinking that the Church wanted them to get involved in the world. Bishops also were confused and allowed many Catholics to do whatever they wanted. The Church also emphasized greatly in participation and sadly many people lost the sense of reverence in the presence of God.[7] Another major confusion was the misinterpretation of when the phrase was said about being in touch with the world or open to it. Many people thought that it meant to bring secular things into the Church.[8]

[1] Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. 2009 130

[2]  Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church.132

[3]  Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church.133
[4]  Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. 144
[5]  Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. 147
[6] Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. 149
[7] Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. 150
[8]  Schreck, Alan. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. 151