Cardinal William W. Baum, the archbishop of Washington from 1973 to 1980, died after a long illness. He was a cardinal for 39 years – the longest such tenure in U.S. Church history.
Vatican II
New Bishop Relies on Ecumenical Experiences
As moderator of the curia, vicar for higher education and vicar for evangelization, Father James Massa wears many hats in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. Next week, he will officially assume another hat – a miter to be exact – as he is ordained one of the diocese’s newest auxiliary bishops. For now, that […]
Austerity, Conservation Should Be Our Platform
ON A RECENT TRIP out West, I once again became aware of one of St. John XXIII’s reasons for initiating the Second Vatican Council: to encourage the Church to adjust to changing times.
Newman and Vatican II
What might we learn from John Henry Newman about the proper way to “read” Vatican II, as we anticipate the 50th anniversary of its conclusion on Dec. 8?
Robert Blair Kaiser, Reporter Who Covered Vatican II
Robert Blair Kaiser, whose award-winning coverage of the Second Vatican Council for Time magazine played a significant role in informing Americans about the council, died April 2 in hospice care in Phoenix. He was 84. His funeral Mass was to be celebrated April 10 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix.
CNS Produces Documentary on Second Vatican Council
The film features archival footage and exclusive interviews with prelates who attended the council sessions between its opening in 1962 and closing in 1965.
Vatican II and The Berlin Wall
History sometimes displays the happy capacity to arrange anniversaries so that one sheds light on another. On Nov. 21, 1964, Pope Paul VI solemnly promulgated the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, which began by proclaiming Christ the “Light of the Nations” and is thus known as “Lumen Gentium.” In November, 1989, the […]
The Church Is the People of God
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, As we continue our series on reflections on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, this week we will concentrate on “The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” or “Lumen Gentium.” The Council’s explanation of the nature of the Church has become second nature to us. Perhaps in […]
Aftermath of Vatican II Misinterpreted Missions
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – On the subject of the Second Vatican Council, Ralph Martin is nothing if not an enthusiast. The theologian, who teaches at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and served as an official expert at the October, 2012, world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization, said the “wonderful […]
The Year of Faith Opens – During Mass Commemorating Vatican II, Pope Says Intelligence Is a Friend of Faith
by Sarah Delaney and Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In a gesture recalling how the Second Vatican Council sought to enhance the connection between the Church and the world, Pope Benedict XVI handed out copies of the council’s messages for laypeople in various walks of life. At the end of the Mass in St. […]