In 1962, Pope John XXIII adjourned what would later be known as The Second Vatican Council and which was ended in 1965 by his successor Pope Paul VI. This council produced four constitutions, nine decrees and three declarations in response to the many internal and external challenges that the Catholic Church was facing. This Ecumenical council
One internal aspect that the Catholic Church faced was the involvement of Lay people within their local churches. “The major challenge is to help the lay faithful appreciate their dignity as baptised persons” (Sacrosanctum Concilium – Introduction). In response to this, Vatican II produced Sacrosanctum Concilium, a constitution on the sacred liturgy that included “a greater role in the celebration of the mass” (Sacrosanctum Concilium – Introduction) for Lay people. For these adherents this meant greater participation in their spiritual lives. This included the ability to distribute communion, which had previously been the work of priests, they were also able to take up positions of leadership – in ministry, education, healthcare ect. – as a way of putting their faith into action. “For proper celebration of the sacred liturgy and fruitful participation in it by all Christ’s faithful” (Sacrosanctum Concilium – Introduction). Even though many adherents were in favour of this extensive change, some ordained members of the Catholic Church were against the movement due to them being so used to being in complete control of their parishes they opposed the change to involve Lay people more in the liturgy.
Another factor that the Ecumenical Council faced and responded to was the interpretation of the scriptures and their involvement in a Lay person’s spiritual life. “...the table of God’s word is to be made more abundantly available to the people of God” (Sacrosanctum Concilium – Introduction). Personal reading and studying of the Scriptures was encouraged and a greater selection of readings from both the Old and New testaments were chosen for a three-year lectionary cycle. This change assisted Lay people in
The change of the Mass caused a massive uproar