Hans Küng, the well-known Swiss Roman Catholic theologian, said some time ago that there is no reason to celebrate the anniversary of Vatican II because it is being totally undermined by the Vatican and the bishops of the world. I would agree in part, but only in part, with his analysis.

 

There is no question that there is backsliding on many of the issues (e.g. liturgy, social justice, ecumenical and interreligious relations, role of the laity). That is indeed painful to see and we certainly should not pretend that this process is not in force, in full force in some regions. But it is not all darkness and we should not ignore the new light that Vatican II has brought to the Church on a global basis.

 

Those of us who have been involved with issues raised by Vatican II are called upon, as I see it, to redouble our efforts to preserve the foundations of Vatican II and enhance their influence. We have a special challenge to assist the millennials in the Church to understand why Vatican II represented such an important breakthrough. I find a certain malaise has set in among the proponents of Vatican II reforms. The 50th anniversary should be an occasion to revive our energies.

 

I admit there are significant obstacles to overcome from the side of ecclesiastical authority. As the late Msgr. John Egan once put it, we must be both “bold and faithful” at this juncture in the Church. Moaning about the demise of Vatican II will get us nowhere. We must use this 50th anniversary to revive the conciliar vision with voice, pen and programming.

 

 

Vatican II

 

Carol Rittner and
John K. Roth, eds.