Page 1 of 11 Original Research A Protestant perspective on Vatican II & 50 years: An engagement with dissent Author: The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) is regarded by many in Protestant circles as one of Graham A. Duncan1 the most significant processes in ecumenical church history during the 20th century. At the time hopes were high that closer cooperation was a reality to be embraced and achieved. Affiliation: 1Department of Church Concurrently, a younger generation of Roman Catholic theologians began to make their History and Church Polity, mark on the ecumenical theological scene. Their work has provided a bridge between the University of Pretoria, two ecclesiastical traditions, notwithstanding the subsequent negative response of the Roman South Africa church hierarchy. Despite important advances, recent pontificates have destroyed much of the Correspondence to: enthusiasm and commitment to unity. This article examines the disjuncture in views regarding Graham Duncan the outcomes of the Council and points of contact with Protestant thinking. Email:
[email protected] Introduction Postal address: On the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, an ecumenical council of Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, the church, it is instructive to reflect on its results and subsequent developments in ecumenism. Pretoria 0002, South Africa In the eyes of many Protestants and others, Vatican II has been placed alongside the World Missionary Conference (1910) as one of the most significant ecumenical event of the 20th century Dates: (Brandmüller 2005; Chadwick 1993:115–117; Edwards 1997:407; Gonzales 1975:239, 466; Hastings Received: 17 Dec. 2012 Accepted: 16 Mar.