Christianity and Culture

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Lobkowicz

Christianity has influenced Western culture more than any factor save human nature itself, and yet its influence is now greatly diminished. Reactions to this have usually taken the form of a Hegelian affirmation that Christianity, having served its historical purpose, is no longer important in itself; a nostalgic conservatism which rejects the culture of modernity simply; or a revivalism which ignores it. An alternative view rests on an analysis of culture and the enlightenment process of secularization to which the Church reacted by closing in on itself until the Second Vatican Council affirmed the legitimate autonomy of the secular. The Church itself, partly to blame for secularization through its practical demystification of nature and attempt to coercively supplant all pre- and non-Christian religious experience, should engage modernity while giving witness to human dignity and promoting a more human culture. Such a constructive recovery of Christian culture must avoid both politicization and moralism.

2019 ◽  
pp. 206-227
Author(s):  
Daniel Philpott

This chapter argues that the Catholic Church’s long historical road to religious freedom serves as a template for an Islamic pathway to religious freedom. The Church’s pathway, culminating in the declaration of the Second Vatican Council, Dignitatis Humanae, is a much better model than the Reformation or the Enlightenment, which are often cited as pathways. The chapter identifies historical factors that led to the Church’s eventual public embrace of religious freedom, showing that the Church exercised this embrace on grounds that were internal to its tradition rather than amounting to compromises with secularism. This is what Muslims can find appealing.


2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (110) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
João Batista Libânio

A trajetória da religiosidade na América Latina parte do catolicismo popular tradicional que se radicou no profundo do povo por obra da primeira evangelização. Caracterizou-se por valorizar os milagres, as promessas, a devoção a Nossa Senhora e aos santos, com traços penitenciais, de caráter leigo, familiar, com enorme tolerância moral. Depois a reforma romana no espírito do Concílio de Trento se fez valer a partir da 2ª metade do século XIX. Some-se um messianismo mágico que existe até hoje sob diversas formas. A renovação profunda veio com o Concílio Vaticano II. A versão latino-americana, original, da libertação se forjou em Medellín com continuidade moderada em Puebla. No momento atual, experimenta-se explosão religiosa polimorfa. E para fechar o itinerário, a V Conferência dos Bispos em Aparecida convoca os católicos para uma experiência de encontro pessoal com Cristo na Igreja na esperança de se converterem em discípulos missionários. No horizonte está a expectativa de uma Grande Missão Continental.ABSTRACT: Latin America religiosity begins with popular Catholicism which is rooted deep down in people’s soul by the work of the first evangelization. It characterizes by emphasizing miracles, vows, devotion to Our Lady and saints, with penitential traces, laity character, familial mindset, moral tolerance. In the spirit of the Trent council later in the second half of 19th century the Roman reform prevailed. Under many forms magic Messianic movements exist even today. A profound renovation arises with the second Vatican council. Its Latin America original version of liberation was forged in Medellín with moderate continuation in Puebla. In the current moment there is an explosion of multifaceted religious experience. And to close the journey, the 5th Conference of Bishops in Aparecida calls Catholics to have an experience of personal encounter with Christ in the Church in the hope of converting them into missionary disciples. In the horizon there is an expectation about a great continental mission. 


Author(s):  
Hiermonk Ioann ( Bulyko) ◽  

The Second Vatican Council was a unique event in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Initiated by Pope John XXIII, it was intended to make the Roman Catholic Church more open to the contemporary society and bring it closer to the people. The principal aim of the council was the so called aggiornamento (updating). The phenomenon of updating the ecclesiastical life consisted in the following: on the one hand, modernization of the life of the Church and closer relations with the secular world; on the other hand, preserving all the traditions upon which the ecclesiastical life was founded. Hence in the Council’s documents we find another, French word ressourcement meaning ‘return to the origins’ based on the Holy Scripture and the works of the Church Fathers. The aggiornamento phenomenon emerged during the Second Vatican Council due to the movement within the Catholic Church called nouvelle theologie (French for “new theology”). Its representatives advanced the ideas that became fundamental in the Council’s decisions. The nouvelle theologie was often associated with modernism as some of the ideas of its representatives seemed to be very similar to those of modernism. However, what made the greatest difference between the two movements was their attitude towards the tradition. For the nouvelle theologie it was very important to revive Christianity in its initial version, hence their striving for returning to the sources, for the oecumenical movement, for better relations with non-Catholics and for liturgical renewal. All these ideas can be traced in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and all this is characterized by the word aggiornamento.


Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Gary Carville

The Second Vatican Council and, in particular, its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, changed much in the daily life of the Church. In Ireland, a country steeped in the Catholic tradition but largely peripheral to the theological debates that shaped Vatican II, the changes to liturgy and devotional practice were implemented dutifully over a relatively short time span and without significant upset. But did the hierarchical manner of their reception, like that of the Council itself, mean that Irish Catholics did not receive the changes in a way that deepened their spirituality? And was the popular religious memory of the people lost through a neglect of liturgical piety and its place in the interior life, alongside what the Council sought to achieve? In this essay, Dr Gary Carville will examine the background to the liturgical changes at Vatican II, the contribution to their formulation and implementation by leaders of the Church in Ireland, the experiences of Irish Catholic communities in the reception process, and the ongoing need for a liturgical formation that brings theology, memory, and practice into greater dialogue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-151
Author(s):  
Jules Boutros ◽  

One of the most important facts that the Second Vatican Council has revealed is that the point of the Church is not itself, but to go beyond itself, to be a community that preaches, serves, celebrates, and witnesses to the reign of God with due respect to the text and context. During the past century, the Church of the Middle East experienced the absence of an authentic missionary enthusiasm and the lack of a clear and pertinent theology with which it could face the challenge presented to Christianity by Islam. This challenge resides in its special role and mission before the Muslims, which this paper will further discuss and, in doing so, answer the question, How can the Church of the Middle East try to approach the Muslims in a time of violent Islamic fundamentalism and persecutions, in a region where most of the Christians are opting to remain distant or to emigrate?


Exchange ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 209-237
Author(s):  
Stan Chu Ilo

Abstract This essay argues for a participatory synodal Church and the possible contributions of the African palaver as a model for participatory dialogue in the Roman Catholic Church. The African palaver is the art of conversation, dialogue, and consensus-building in traditional society that can be appropriated in the current search for a more inclusive and expansive participatory dialogue at all levels of the life of the Church. I will develop this essay first by briefly exploring some theological developments on synodality between the Second Vatican Council and Pope Francis and some of the contributions of the reforms of Pope Francis to synodality in the Church. Secondly, I will identify how the African palaver functions through examples taken from two African ethnic groups. I will proceed to show how the African palaver could enter into dialogue with other new approaches to participatory dialogue for a synodal Church.


2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 143-159
Author(s):  
Anna Gołębiowska

In the article, the contemporary interpretations of the can. 1095 of the new Code Of Canon Law, which undergone several modifications, were shown. Both the issue of formulating the definitions of mental disorders in the canonical law and the question of “lack of capacity” and psychological capacity for assuming the essential obligations of marriage (as defined by the Church) were explained. Moreover, various opinions of authors on capacity to enter into marriage were presented. Some research on psychological causes which make a person not able to assume the essential obligations of marriage were pointed out. At the same time, there is an explanation of the purpose of marriage according to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, which resulted in the extension of the list of causes due to which the declaration of nullity might be applied for.


2009 ◽  
Vol 52 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 23-49
Author(s):  
Janusz Gręźlikowski

The 4th Synod of the Warsaw Archdioceses was debating during the five-year period, between 19th March 1998 and 19th March 2003 when the Warsaw Church had been run by the primate of Poland, cardinal Joseph Glemp. He proposed, summoned and carried out the synod and promulgated its resolutions. The initiative of summoning the synod was connected with the need for overall renewal of the religious and moral life of the Warsaw archdiocese. The synod’s deliberations and its resolutions were to cause the betterment of the organization and functioning of administrative and pastoral apparatus in the archdiocese, to normalize the many issues concerning the church and religious life, as well as to improve the laity and clergy’s religious, social and moral level. To achieve, a wide representation of clergy, catholic laity and monks were engaged. The synodical resolutions with its jurisdictional and pastoral nature are signified by strong setting in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the Canon Law, the documents of the Holy See and John Paul II, as well as by the resolutions of the Second Polish Plenary Second and the instructions of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate. At the same time they refer to the tradition of the Warsaw archdiocese and remain fully opened for the “tomorrow” of the Church, evangelizing and pastoral objective. Furthermore they undertake, organize and regulate many difficult pastoral issues. Thus the synodical legislator contributed to the renewal, revival and activation of the church and administrative structures of the archdioceses, so they could serve to various pastoral, church and administrative assignments.


2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 43-58
Author(s):  
Jan Dyduch

Synod of the Archdiocese of Lvov, inaugurated 16th January 1995, concluded 21st January 1997, became the brilliant event in the Archdiocese’s dramatic history of the last decades. The Synod assumed the renewal of the Church of Lvov and Luck on a basis of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council and the provisions of Canon Law. The renewal of the Church life requires the renewal of priestly ministry. The Synod of Lvov turns priests’ attention to their participation in the triple mission of the Church. They take part in the teaching mission when they preach the Gospel, teach catechism and evangelize by means of mass media. They fulfil their mission of sanctification when they administer sacraments and take care ofreligious practices and piety of the faithful. While guiding God’s people and performing manifold cure of souls, they carry out their pastoral mission.


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