Second Vatican Council Research Paper

1757 Words8 Pages

The Second Vatican Council was called by Pope John XXIII for no specific agenda but it was inspired by certain aspects. It was common that councils were called for dealing with, clarifying certain doctrines or stating a new church doctrine. One of the aspects was the Pope’s personality and sense of compassion for the world, joined with his well-developed knowledge of the wider Church beyond Rome. In calling the council he faced some difficulties because some cardinals were not for the idea. His exposure to long diplomatic career prepared him for the difficulties he would face in organizing the council. He was elected the Pope in October 1958, after the death of Pius XII. He was chosen as a Care-taker Pope as they were looking for who can be the pope. He was chosen so because of was too old and was not expected to last long at the same time no reformation was expected from him. For Pope John XXIII, this became an opportunity to see what he could do …show more content…

It has to be understood that the Council of Trent was not meant for reformation but was a reaction to it. The Council of Trent launched guidebooks for the training of priests which were in use until Vatican II, warned against the relationships between Catholics and the Protestants, created an Index of forbidden books etc. There were leading theologians who had new ideas which were of challenge to the church and religion. They paved the way by articulating in a new ecclesial language even before the council did so. In some sense, it can be said that Pope John XXIII was only responding to such development and the aspect of allowing the Spirit's freshness and vitality to infuse the conservative Church of the 16th century. The merging of these factors was welcomed by the participants of the Council who seemed to be