Wisdom Exchange: How have you experienced the effects of Vatican II on the Church?

CTA's Next Generation (ages 22-42) is committed to fostering intergenerational dialogue between themselves and the "Wisdom Generation" - older CTA members who had personal experience of Vatican II. Such a Wisdom Exchange took place live at the 1999 National Conference. In the same vein, an intergenerational sharing committee was formed to continue dialogue. The committee asked several regional CTA members from both age groups to submit responses to the question, "What is your image of the effect of Vatican II on the Church in the last 35 years?" Here are two replies:

From the Wisdom Generation:

Ever since 1959 when Pope John XXIII announced his intention to call the church universal to an ecumenical council, life was never again the same. When the council finally began in October 1962, the windows of the Church were thrown open to let in the Spirit of God. It was a heady time - reports from the council, articles by observers, the National Catholic Reporter to keep one informed. I was a young member of a teaching order of religious. I recall attending to the reports and gathering with groups of friends to discuss what it meant for us.

As the three years of council deliberations passed, and its documents became public, things really started to change, even to heat up. Especially welcome were the liturgical changes and the decree on renewal of religious life. How I treasured the principle of subsidiarity as my community set forth on renewal. The effect on the whole church seemed at the time as positive and welcome as it was for me. Prominent scholars published readable scripture translations and a plethora of inspirational and informational religious literature. The church began to look at itself and other churches in a new and positive way. It seemed a new day had dawned for all.

Then the revelation. Others in the church were not so happy. Little by little after the untimely death of John XXIII, the reins began to tighten. Poorly explained church changes frightened some - most prominently, the curia in Rome. As the years progressed, this resistance grew, and now renewal seems threatened.

For me personally, Vatican II changed my life. Ever the reformer - some called me rebel - I found my next vocation in the married rather than religious state. My zeal for continuing education and renewal continues, and hopefully some growth in spirituality. Involvement in reform groups such as CTA provides the inspiration, and strengthens my appreciation of Vatican II. Unfortunately, I still meet with resistance to its spirit, a resistance which seems particularly strong these days. I have not, however, abandoned my hopes. The Spirit of God began this work. May that force ever be with me and all the people of God.

A member of CTA New England/Connecticut, age 65

 

From the Next Generation:

What do young people today really think about the Catholic Church, and in this case, about the accomplishments of Vatican II? Well, I am writing this, as a young person in his late 20's, to offer a brief perspective on this council's impact in my life. I must say that I honestly don't know much about the Vatican II meetings. They were never really taught to me, even though I've been raised Catholic and attended Catholic grade school and high school. I had heard that Vatican II had made some radical departures from Vatican I and that many changes had taken place in terms of church doctrine. Aside from that, however, all I can say is that there is still much to be accomplished.

I'm actually quite frustrated with the Catholic Church right now. The Mass really does not hold my interest any more. It doesn't feel like a celebration at all. It often seems like just a bunch of robots reiterating their lines in monotone voices and then "cutting class," - leaving after communion. Is this the community, the kingdom of God that Jesus had imagined? And why is all the language of the Mass still so sexist? How long are women going to be excluded from the language and from the altar? And why doesn't the Church truly address the definition of male and female? Where do people who define themselves as transgendered or as gay or lesbian fit into the kingdom of God? Why won't the church account for all of its members? There seems to be some fear surrounding the whole issue of gender in the church. And I don't mean to separate the church and its members. We ARE the church, after all. Even though Vatican II used the supposed "generic male" terms, I don't mean to discount everything they accomplished. I'm simply saying that gender and language play a key role for me in my faith and spiritual practice. What is the impact of gender in the church today? I think this issue needs to be addressed.

I believe that Vatican II had a profound impact on the Catholic Church. I'm trying to learn more about this impact, and I hope we can continue to explore such possibilities for the future direction of the Catholic Church. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to share my perspective. May hope and love always encircle our journey together.

Maury J. Boehmer, St. Louis, Mo.