Vatican I & II

1. Vatican I: history & two main doctrines2. Vatican II: history & main achievements3. Discussion of Decree on Ecumenism.

Vatican I (1869-70)• Historical circumstances:

– Summoned by Pope Pius IX, held in Rome

– Threats to political power of the papacy– Anti-Enlightenment (Syllabus of Errors

published in 1864)—Rationalism, liberalism, materialism condemned

• Two doctrines (Pastor Aeternus):– Papal primacy of jurisdiction– Papal infallibility

Two new doctrines about Mary

• Immaculate Conception of Mary (1854)• Bodily Assumption of Mary (1950).

Vatican II (1962-65)

• Summoned by Pope John XXIII, then Paul VI

• aggiornamento• Three main issues:

– Reform of worship– Role of the laity– Ecumenism

Interpret:

• “It follows that the separated Churches and Communities as such, though we believe them to be deficient in some respects, have been by no means deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Church.” Decree on Ecumenism, 3.

• “For it is only through Christ's Catholic Church, which is "the all-embracing means of salvation," that they can benefit fully from the means of salvation.” Decree on Ecumenism, 3.