SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL Reforms within the Catholic Church BACKGROUND GUIDE Letter from the Dais Dear Delegates, Welcome to SciMUN XIV! My name is Mir Alam and I will be your chair for this conference. I am currently a senior at Bronx Science and this is my third year doing Model UN. I joined in my sophomore year, as I was intrigued by the discussions which take place, and how people come together to tackle real world conficts. Participating in Model UN has helped me signifcantly in learning about current international affairs. Alongside gaining invaluable knowledge, I got to expand my public speaking skills, and got to meet a lot of interesting people. Aside from MUN, I love sports and enjoy Krish Shah watching movies. While this year's conference cannot be done in person, we will assure Secretary-General that you all will not miss out on anything and have a great conference in a virtual setting. As a member of the Second Vatican Council, you will decide how to efficiently integrate Byul Sak the Catholic Church into the modern world, while attempting to resolve the conficts arising from the Church. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Director-General [email protected]. Sincerely, Omar Darwish Mir Alam ([email protected]) USG of Administration Arul Prakasha ([email protected]) Second Vatican Council Vincent Harwood Deputy-USG of Administration Benjamin Raab USG of General Assemblies and Specialized Committees Karen Phua Deputy-USG of General Assemblies and Specialized Committees Lars Zeana-Schliep USG of Crisis Committees Rehan Yazdani Deputy-USG of Crisis Committees Diane D. Steiker Faculty Advisor 75 West 205th Street Bronx, NY 10468 [email protected] www.scimun.com SciMUNC XIV | Page 1 Overview Regardless of the positives and negatives, the not denounce the church prior to the council installment of the Second Vatican Council held but instead building onto the church prior to a tremendous impact on society, which can still the council. However, not everyone has the be felt today. At the time, having a council did same notion; much of this can be attributed to not feel necessary, so when a nonsectarian the lack of knowledge young Catholics have council was announced in 1959, it was about it, and the different interpretations that certainly a shocking moment. From October came from the Council. Tis is a dispute that is 11, 1962 to December 8th, 1965, a profusion present between the Vatican itself and American of bishops, observers, laymen, and laywomen Nuns. Critics claim that many have been using would be called in throughout four different the Second Vatican to justify actions that sessions. Te council would shape sixteen contradicted Catholic beliefs. We hope that the documents throughout its tenure, such as the many different interpretations of the actions of “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” the Second Vatican will lead to discourse “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy,” and amongst the delegates about what the Church “Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the could have done to prevent interpretations from World of Today.” Te frst of such documents getting out of hand. attests to the Scripture all while being open- minded when studying the Bible. Te second, “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy,” encouraged the greater participation of laity during Mass and allowed major changes in language to be used during Mass. Finally, the last document realizes how society is changing in a very big way and attempts to tie church values with the changing contemporary world. Te impacts of the documents produced largely infuenced the foundation of churches in today’s society. What made the Second Vatican so unique is that it promoted a more contemporary type of belief. John W. O’Malley of Georgetown University believed the overlying theme of the documents was reconciliation. Te council promoted relationships between Christians of different denominations. Tey encouraged Christians to establish relationships with non-Christians and encouraged languages other than Latin to be used during Mass. However, while many see it as a positive infuence to the modern day church, many also believe it promotes ideas that contradict church values. Pope Benedict wanted people to believe that the Second Vatican did Page 2 | Second Vatican Council Topics of Debate Problems Discussed in Te Council those under faith, to wanting a more just social order. Overall, this updating was not, as John Also known as a revolution in the Church, the XXIII stated, a changing of beliefs, but the Vatican II introduced many changes at the updating of how beliefs are presented. time, from its teaching and practices. Pope John XXIII's intention for the council suggests that Prior to the creation of the Second Vatican he had double motives. First, the Council was Council, it is important to take note of all the to be pastoral. Just as a shepherd pastors his key events that led up to the creation of the land and sheep, John XXIII, as the pope and council. To keep it simple, there are 4 pastor of the Roman Catholic Church, sought signifcant events that led up to that moment. to build the faith of those within the Church. Starting with October 28th, 1958, Angelo Tis Council was to do more than simply look Roncalli was elected as the Pope John XXIII. inward to the faith of the Church’s members; it On January 25th, 1959, Pope John described was to be ecumenical as well. Today, when we his plans to initiate the council. On June 18th, hear the word “ecumenical,” we usually think of 1959 the Pope began seeking advice from the dialogue among various faith traditions participating nations in order to create an with one another. Rather, this means that the agenda. On June 5th, 1960 the Pope Council was representative of several different announced various commissions that would Christian churches. In a broad sense, this prepare certain documents. dialogue tends to focus on the similarities and divergences on how various faith traditions Background on Angelo Roncalli understand and practice the faith. “To be Angelo Roncalli was born in 1881, as the son of ecumenical, according to the Greek root of the an Italian farmer. He took on many professions, word, means to take care of and order one’s such as professor, part-time historian, own household.” Te Second Vatican Council, biographer, and diplomat. He was described as as an ecumenical event, was an ordering of the a “good-natured conformist” for his frst 54 household in the presence of representative years at church. His frst big job came in Christians from other faith traditions. However, France, where he was appointed papal nuncio. they could listen but could not formally take When he was elected pope, it was surprising part in the proceedings. While historically the because few had believed he would ever actually major councils of the fourth through sixth become the pope. It was even more surprising centuries dealt with right or correct faith (for when he took steps different from the instance, how we understand Christ Jesus as conservative forms of the church in order to both fully divine and fully human comes from modernize the church. By meeting with the early councils), the Second Vatican Council political and religious leaders around the world, was pastoral. Again, pastoral because its frst he quickly became a beloved fgure for concern was to discuss how to build and Catholics everywhere. strengthen faith as it is lived and practiced by all of the faithful. Roncalli’s biggest moment was the introduction of the Second Vatican. Te pope believed that Secondly, the purpose of this meeting was to the divided Christian groups needed reform the Church to modern times. Tis reconciliation. For this reason, he invited all included things from the daily activities of sects of Christians, Eastern Orthodox, SciMUNC XIV | Page 3 Anglican, and Protestant to attend meetings. Te Purpose of the Meeting Ultimately, he believed the Roman Catholic church needed to be brought up-todate, and As said, the purpose of this meeting was to summoned its leaders to the Second further strengthen those under the Christian Ecumenical Council, or Vatican II, with the faith, while also listening to people of other aim of modernizing it and fostering unity. religions. Also intended to modernize the way their religion is viewed, in an effort to keep up Franco-Prussian War and thrive in this modern world. It may be difficult to see why the Franco- Te problem facing us, the Pope pointed out, is Prussian War holds any value within the Second the same today as it has ever been: “Men stand Vatican. However, this war is one of the key either with the Church or against Her; and factors into the creation of the new council. rejection results in bitterness, confusion, and Te Franco-Prussian War essentially brought war. Councils testify to the union of Christ and the closure of the First Vatican, paving way for His Church and promulgate a universal truth a new council. Te work of the frst Vatican to guide individuals in their domestic and social remained mostly unfnished. For this reason, lives.” What can we do in this council to refute some people believe that the Second Vatican this statement, to show that the Church can was made to continue the work of the First. improve lives and conficts, not worsen it. Social Aspects of the Council Tis subsection will describe the reactions of the people to the creation of the Second Vatican. Delegates will debate the positive and negative outcomes during the time of the creation of the Council and then transition into impacts that it has today.