Conference paper
The permanent significance of the Second Vatican Council for the Church
Walter Kasper
Abstract
After his introductoiy notes pointing out that the Council in the Church has still been disputed, the author comes to his most important statement: On the way to the third millennium it is the Second Vatican Council that stands firmly as the fundamental Church line of direction. But the fact is, in some matters its realisation only has begun. This thesis is set forth here in three items.
First, the Council is shown while facing those questions and problems
that had been waiting to be urgently solved in the pre-council time; it accepted ali of them and worked them out in details. Following the next item we find the implementation of the Council to have three stages: at first, the period of enthusiasm, then the time of sobering down, and finally, the realism of christian hope that marks the present time. The third and main item sets us forth the central and permanent message of the Council which has been given through the four constitutions. Those are the key to understanding of ali other
documents. The Council has presented us with permanent gift - the renewed understanding of the Church. But, still it is much to be done to work its rich heritage out and to make it come true. The Council impulses haven't nearly been exploited and we find them to be the continuous challenge.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
52065
URI
Publication date:
21.3.1996.
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