Lucker: CTAers embrace Vatican II

Bishop Ray Lucker in 2000 is celebrating his 25th anniversary as bishop of New Ulm, Minn. He told his own story in his diocesan newspaper. Here is an excerpt:

Twelve years after I was ordained I was sent to Rome to study theology. I was there during the Second Vatican Council. It was the most profound experience in my life. I went through a personal conversion. My faith became a personal relationship with God as well as an assent to the truths that God has revealed. Vatican II called the whole church to reform and renewal; for an active, informed and committed laity, for the collegiality of bishops, for the importance of the local church, for ecumenical dialogue. The Council urged us to engage with the world and invited every member of the church to work for the transformation of society.

I saw in Vatican II a fulfillment of all my dreams. I became actively involved in the Cursillo Movement, in Charismatic Renewal, in retreats and in spiritual direction. All of this I believe was built on the traditional church in which I was born and raised.
A few weeks ago I spoke at the Call To Action Conference in Milwaukee. I find the same kind of people there that I grew up with, people who love the church, who have embraced the reforms of Vatican II, who are open to the growth of their faith through participation in small faith-sharing groups, who are concerned about the renewal of the church and deeply committed to the "new Pentecost" so ardently prayed for by the saintly Pope John XXIII. They are active in their own parishes and dioceses, engaged in the transformation of society, committed to non-violence, justice and peace.