THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD

 

THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD

Gaudium et Spes was promulgated by Pope St. Paul VI on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in 1965.  It was the last of the four great Constitutions produced by the fathers of the Second Vatican Council.  Vatican documents are named by the first few words of the document, which in this case are “Joy and hope.”  It is known in English as “The Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World.”  It is written not only to the faithful but to all people, inviting a dialogue with modern men and women of faith or no faith, and offering guidance for how the world might respond to the many challenges it faces as the result of modern progress.  Specific topics include marriage and the family, the proper development of culture, economic development, government and politics, peace, and the community of nations.  The Church’s view of human beings as having inestimable dignity and value is the foundation of all that it recommends.

Circumstances have changed, including the rise and fall of nations, since Gaudium et Spes was promulgated fifty-seven years ago.  However, the problems which the Church addresses in it remain with us today, and so this highest level of magisterial teaching remains relevant.  In his apostolic letter Novo Millenio Inuente (“At the Beginning of The New Millennium”) Pope St. John Paul II stated that the documents of Vatican II remain “a sure compass” to guide us into the third millennium.  A theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate was to foster a more profound and proper implementation of its teachings in the life of the Church, and Pope Francis has said that to be with the Church one must be with the Second Vatican Council.  Bishop Robert Barron has stated that rejection of the Council itself, rather than the way in which it was implemented, “cuts against the very integrity of the Church.” 

As both verbal and physical attacks on Christians increase in our society, we must consider where and how to stand for what is true.  I mentioned in my homilies last weekend that we need to accept the warning of the apostles Paul and Barnabas that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).  The answer of where, and how, is in large part laid out for us in Gaudium et Spes.  We need to be able to do what St. Peter exhorts us to do in his letter, when he writes, “But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.  Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Pt 3:14-16).  This coming from a man who was scourged and arrested more than once for preaching the gospel, and finally was crucified upside-down on the Vatican hill in Rome.

In order to strengthen our conviction and our courage, and to have a ready defense for anyone who challenges us on public issues about which the Church takes a firm stand, I will be writing in the next few articles about the teaching of Gaudium et Spes.  If you want to do some homework you can easily look it up on the internet to read it for yourself.  The Vatican provides a full translation in English of all sixteen documents of the Second Vatican Council at: 

https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm.