Second Vatican Council

The legacy of the Second Vatican Council over five decades is immeasurable. If you are old enough, make a mental picture of Church life then and now and you will see a dramatic difference – and not only in the liturgy with the full, conscious and active participation of the whole congregation and the priest facing them.

► Watch the video

Vatican II Church

One of the most important decisions made in the course of Vatican II discussions was to pull together all the material in the working document on “People of God” and make it a separate chapter, AND place that chapter before the chapter on the hierarchy. This was to emphasize the basic equality of all the members of the church (all the baptized) before distinctions are made according to office or charism.

► Watch the video

Lay People in the Church

Those of us who are ordained have the gift of preaching and teaching, of learning our traditions in the light of Vatican II, and of living them.

The laity, as various as they are, have many gifts to bring to the discussion, many experiences where over and over again, they learn, and we can learn from them, that love is only the only answer.

► Watch the video