Vatican II
Catholic, Writings March 3rd, 2005As a part of my Lenten discipline, I’ve been reading the documents of the Second Vatican Council. Sometimes I have to force myself to read certain books, but not this one. I’ve been entranced with the writings of these Council Fathers. I think it’s important to encounter Vatican II on its own terms and not from those who seek to operate according to its "spirit." I wish every Protestant biblical and theological school would make the texts of Vatican II required reading. Although it certainly wouldn’t make everyone go out and join an RCIA class, I think it would go a long way in ending anti-Catholic prejudice and ignorance displayed by some Protestants. It’s amazing to actually read what the Church teaches as opposed to how her dogma is presented by her enemies.
March 4th, 2005 at 9:31 am
Very true. But the last protestant bone in my body still says that there is a difference between what the church teaches and what the church does. What is most important is how the church acts. From what I’ve seen of current American Catholicism Vatican II is only partly taught/implemented/lived. What’s your perspective from the inside?
March 4th, 2005 at 10:42 pm
Derek,
From my insider perspective, lol, in many areas you are on track about a disconnect between the actual decrees of Vatican II and American Catholicism. I haven’t read all the documents yet, but I just finished the “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” I think this document and its implementation are a good example of your point. Liturgical abuse has been/is rampant, especially in the USA and Europe and sadly is often done in the “spirit of Vatican II” (whatever that means). One small step towards improvement would be a new English translation of the Novus Ordo. Fortunately, this is on the way. I’ll mention more about my thoughts on this tomorrow (it’s my bedtime).
March 6th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
Derek,
To get in a little more detail…For example, Vatican II envisions Gregorian chant having pride of place in the liturgy and mentions the centrality of the pipe organ. Also, new composers should draw from the Scriptures and liturgical sources in their work. My experience with Catholic liturgy and music in practice is that it doesn’t seem to always live up to these pronouncements.
The Novus Ordo liturgy itself is often criticized, but I think much could be improved by a new English translation that is more faithful to the Latin. For example, “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa” is translated flatly as “my fault.” The English clearly misses the force of the Latin. Similarly, the Nicene Creed in Latin is credo while the English translates it: “we believe.” There are many examples. Fortunately, a new translation is on the way.
Although the council gives some latitude to bishops, it seems to expect that Latin will be included in the mass to a large extent with the vernacular. This is rare in practice, at least in my experience. After reading the Constitution on the Liturgy, I think the masses on EWTN seem to come close to what the council intended. But, once again, I’m not an expert and I’ve only been to handful of parishes.
Vatican II empowered the laity in many ways, but this assumes a theologically well educated laity that is loyal to the Catholic Faith. Sadly, this has not always been the case in America. Catechesis, from what I’ve heard, has been awful and large numbers of Catholics don’t know their own faith or reject it with little remorse or earthly consequences. I think that many in the Church used Vatican II as an excuse to promote heresy and liberalism, which has weakened the American Church.
We have to remember, however, that the second Vatican Council was closed in 1965, forty years ago. It takes awhile to fully implement any council. I’m hoping and praying that the days of folk masses and other liturgical abuses are on their way out. I don’t see how these kinds of events could find any justification in the work of the Second Vatican Council. But, having said all this, I think that implementation will happen even if it’s a little messy now, at least in the USA.
March 7th, 2005 at 11:04 am
Ah yes, laity empowerment. As elitist as it may sound, my experience is that only a handful of the laity actually care to be empowered and a section of them are the ones you need to watch the closest anyways. It almost makes we wish we could accelerate the post-Constantinian process and clear some of the culture Christians out of the pews in order to work with those who care…but that’s an uncharitable thought and I know that some who look like they do nothing really are doing something. Catechesis is the key only if people care. They have to get motivated before the teaching means anything, I fear.