Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

The Second Vatican Council (October 11, 1962 to December 8, 1965) represents a watershed in Catholic theology, a change of theological perspective with major implications for the Catholic Church and all Christian denominations. Its four sessions held in the Vatican basilica offered the world the spectacle of the most massive assemblage of bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and patriarchs ever seen—not to mention all the ecclesial experts, bureaucrats, and hangers-on who attempted to interpret and steer the council. Journalists from all over the world arrived to report on the council's proceedings. The media would play an important role in the council, informing many bishops what the Latin discourses in the aula were about, discussing the politics behind the scenes, explaining the theological issues involved, and heightening expectations. Contrary to usual ecclesial procedure the “progressive party” made appeal to the press to overcome obstacles placed in its path by the “conservative party” grouped around the Roman Curia, past masters of the politics of delay and referral. To update the bishops on theological questions both progressives and conservatives offered theological lectures by experts to enlighten and confirm those of their persuasion and encourage waverers to join their fold. Thus the anomaly was effected that the successors of the Apostles, teachers of the church, were ... log in or subscribe to read full text