Lumen Gentium and the Ecclesiolo

Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Theology - Historic Theology, Ecclesiastical History, grade: A, -, language: English, abstract: At the interruption of the First Vatican Council, the Church was left with a number ofquestions which needed to be addressed.1 Having alone defined the primacy and infallibilityof the Roman Pontiff, questions surrounding the issue of collegiality in the episcopal collegebecame increasingly important, along with the need to understand the mission of the Churchamidst the many revolutionary changes which marked society in the 20th century. Recognizing the need for the Church to further reflect upon her nature and mission in light ofthe new sociological conditions in which she found herself, Pope John XXIII announced thebeginning of two landmark events in the history of the Church: (i) the convocation of anecumenical council and (ii) the call for the revision of the Code of Canon Law. While theannouncement of the Council solicited great anticipation the world over, the Code's revisionwas, for the most part, the subject of very little discussion. The fact that the announcementswere made together, however, reveals the desire of the Pope that the revision of the Codewould ultimately be the fruit of the Council.