What was the purpose of Vatican II?
I think the most cogent response to this question is found in the opening sentence of the first official document promulgated by Vatican II (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 1963): This sacred Council has several aims in view: It desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church. What problems existed or what reforms were needed in 1962? Of all the questions you pose, this is the most difficult to answer objectively, as were talking here about matters of interpretation and opinion. Plus, having been born in 1959 myself, Im dependent upon the writings of conciliar historians, participants, and commentators for my assessment. I think at least the following can be safely said: • There was already before Va
