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CONCILIUM OECUMENICUM VATICANUM II SOLLEMNITER INCHOATUR

ALLOCUTIO IOANNIS PP. XXIII IN SOLLEMNI SS. CONCILII INAUGURATIONE

Die 11 octobris menis a. 1962

Venerabiles Fratres,

§ 1

[E] Gaudet Mater Ecclesia quod, singulari Divinae Providentiae munere, optatissimus iam dies illuxit, quo, auspice Deipara Virgine, cuius materna dignitas hodie festo ritu recolitur, hic ad Beati Petri sepulcrum Concilium Oecumenicum Vaticanum Secundum sollemniter initium capit.

Concilia Oecumenica in Ecclesia

§ 2

[E] Universa Concilia -- sive viginti Oecumenica sive innumera eaque non parvi pendenda Provincialia et Regionaliaquae per succedentia tempora sunt celebrata, manifesto vigorem Ecclesiae Catholicae comprobant et quasi fulgentia lumina in eius annalibus recensentur

§ 2b

[E] Recentissimus humilisque eiusdem Principis Apostolorum Successor, qui vos alloquitur, amplissisimum hunc Coetum indicens, id sibi proposuit, ut iterum Magisterium Ecclesiasticum, numquam deficiens et ad finem usque temporum perseverans, affirmaretur; quod quidem Magisterium rationem habens errorum, necessitatum, rerum opportunarum nostrae aetatis, per hoc ipsum Concilium omnibus hominibus, quotquot in orbe terrarum sunt, extraordinario modo, in praesenti exhibetur.

§ 2c

[E] Hanc igitur universalem incohans Synodum, Christi Vicarius, qui ad vos verba facit, praeterita tempora, ut liquet, respicit eorumque veluti vocem, alacrem animosque confirmantem, auscultat: libenter enim meminit bene meritorum Summorum Pontificum, qui antiquissima et recentiore aetate fuerunt; et qui e Conciliorum conventibus, sive in Oriente sive in Occidente a saeculo quarto ad Medium usque Aevum et recentia tempora actis, venerandae gravisque huiusmodi vocis testimonia transmiserunt. Haec non intermisso studio triumphum divinae et humanae illius Societatis extollunt, scilicet Ecclesiae Christi, quae a Divino Redemptore nomen, gratiae munera, vimque accipit totam.

§ 2d

[E] Quodsi haec spiritualis laetitiae causa sunt, negare tamen non possumus dolores et acerbitates plurimas per longam undeviginti saeculorum seriem hanc historiam obscuravisse. Verum enim exstitit et exstat, quod olim Simeon senex ad Mariam Matrem Iesu ore prophetico dixit: «Ecce positus est hic in ruinam et in resurrectionem multorum ... et in signum cui contradicetur» (Lc 2,34). Atque Iesus ipse, aetate maturior, perspicue ostendit, quomodo homines per tempora adversus Ipsum se essent gesturi, arcana haec proferens verba: «Qui vos audit, me audit» (Lc 10,16). Praeterea haec effatus est, ut apud Sanctum Lucam, qui superiora quoque verba refert, scriptum videmus: «Qui non est mecum, contra me est, et qui non colligit mecum, dispergit» (Lc 11,23).

§ 2e

[E] Gravissimae sane res et quaestiones ab humano genere dissolvendae, post viginti fere saecula non mutantur; etenim Christus Iesus semper medium quasi locum tenet historiae et vitae: homines aut ipsi ipsiusque Ecclesiae adhaerent, atque adeo lucis, suavitatis, recti ordinis pacisque bonis fruuntur; aut sine ipso vivunt vel contra ipsum agunt et consulto extra Ecclesiam commorantur, quo fit ut confusio inter eos habeatur, mutuae rationes asperae efficiantur, cruentorum bellorum impendeat periculum.

§ 2f

[E] Hanc coniunctionem cum Christo eiusque Ecclesia Concilia Oecumenica, quotiescumque ea celebrari contingit, sollemni quodam modo praedicant et veritatis lucem quoquoversus emittunt, vitam singulorum hominum, domestici convictus, societatis in rectas semitas dirigunt, spirituales vires excitant atque stabiliunt, ad vera et sempiterna bona continenter animos erigunt.

§ 2g

[E] Testimonia extraordinarii huius Magisterii Ecclesiae, scilicet universalium Synodorum, ob oculos Nostros versantur, dum varias hominum aetates per haec viginti saecula christiani aevi intuemur. Quae documenta pluribus magnique ponderis voluminibus continentur ac veluti sacer thesaurus sunt aestimanda, qui in tabulariis Urbis Romae ac totius orbis terrarum celebratissimis bibliothecis est reconditus.

Origo et causa Concilii Oecumenici Vaticani II

§ 3

[E] Quod autem ad originem et causam attinet maximi huius eventus, propter quem placuit Nobis vos hic congregare, satis est iterum afferre testimonium humile quidem, sed quod Nos ipsi experientia possumus probare: primo enim paene ex inopinato hoc Concilium mente concepimus, ac deinde simplicibus verbis enuntiavimus coram Sacro Purpuratorum Patrum Collegio fausto die illo vicesimo quinto mensis Ianuarii anno millesimo nongentesimo quinquagesimo nono, in festo Conversionis Sancti Pauli Apostoli, in ipsa eius Patriarchali Basilica ad viam Ostiensem. Statim adstantium animi subito tacti sunt, quasi supernae lucis radio coruscante, et suaviter omnes affecti in vultu oculisque. Simul vero vehemens studium toto terrarum orbe exarsit, cunctique homines Concilii celebrationem studiose exspectare coeperunt.

§ 3b

[E] Interea tres annos ad apparandum Concilium laboriosum est opus patratum, quod eo pertinebat, ut accuratius et amplius inquireretur, quo honore essent hac nostra aetate Fides, religionis usus, vigor coetus christiani ac praesertim catholici.

§ 3c

[E] Profecto haud immerito Nobis videtur hoc tempus in apparando Concilio Oecumenico insumptum primum quoddam signum ac donum gratiae caelestis fuisse.

§ 3d

[E] Huius ergo Concilii lumine illustrata, Ecclesia spiritualibus divitiis, ut confidimus, augebitur atque, novarum virium robur ex illo hauriens, intrepide futura prospiciet tempora. Nam, opportunis inductis emendationibus ac mutua auxiliatrice opera sapienter instituta, Ecclesia efficiet, ut homines, familiae, nationes reapse ad ea, quae supra sunt, mentes convertant.

§ 3e

[E] Itaque propter Concilii huius celebrationem Summo Largitori omnium bonorum gratiae maximae ex conscientiae officio sunt reddendae, et gloria Christi Domini cum exsultatione praedicanda, qui est Rex invictus et immortalis saeculorum ac gentium.

Opportunitas celebrandi Concilii

§ 4

[E] Aliud praeterea est, Venerabiles Fratres, quod hac in re iuvat vobis ad considerandum proponere. Scilicet, in accensionem[*] laetitiae sanctae, quae sollemni hac hora animos afficit nostros, liceat Nobis hoc in amplissimo consessu palam asseverare, initium Oecumenicae huius Synodi opportunis sane temporis adiunctis contingere.

§ 4b

[E] Saepe quidem accidit, quemadmodum in cotidiano obeundo apostolico ministerio comperimus, ut non sine aurium Nostrarum offensione quorundam voces ad Nos perferantur, qui, licet religionis studio incensi, non satis tamen aequa aestimatione prudentique iudicio res perpendunt. Hi enim, in praesentibus humanae societatis condicionibus, nonnisi ruinas calamitatesque cernere valent; dictitant nostra tempora, si cum elapsis saeculis comparentur, prorsus in peius abiisse; atque adeo ita se habent, quasi ex historia, quae vitae magistra est, nihil habeant quod discant, ac veluti si, superiorum Conciliorum tempore, quoad christianam doctrinam, quoad mores, quoad iustam Ecclesiae libertatem, omnia prospere ac recte processerint.

§ 4c

[E] At Nobis plane dissentiendum esse videtur ab his rerum adversarum vaticinatoribus, qui deteriora semper praenuntiant, quasi rerum exitium instet.

§ 4d

[E] In praesenti humanorum eventuum cursu, quo hominum societas novum rerum ordinem ingredi videtur, potius arcana Divinae Providentiae consilia agnoscenda sunt, quae per tempora succedentia, hominum opera, ac plerumque praeter eorum exspectationem, suum exitum consequuntur, atque omnia, adversos etiam humanos casus, in Ecclesiae bonum sapienter disponunt.

§ 4e

[E] Hoc facile cernere est, si attento animo perpendantur gravissimae de re politica et oeconomica quaestiones atque discrimina, quae hodie sunt. Quae omnia tam sollicitos homines tenent, ut eorum curas cogitationesque a religiosis negotiis avertant, quae ad sacrum pertinent Ecclesiae Magisterium. Huiusmodi agendi ratio certe vitio non caret, ac merito est improbanda. Nemo tamen negare potest, has novas inductas rerum condiciones, id saltem commodi habere, ut e medio innumera illa impedimenta iam auferantur, quibus olim saeculi filii liberam Ecclesiae actionem praepedire consueverant. Etenim satis est cursim ecclesiasticos annales pervolvere[*], ut statim manifesto pateat, vel ipsa Oecumenica Concilia, quorum vicissitudines aureis litteris Ecclesiae fastis consignatae sunt, saepe non sine gravissimis difficultatibus ac doloris causis, ob indebitam civilis potestatis interpositam auctoritatem, celebrata fuisse. Huius enim mundi Principes interdum sibi quidem proponebant sincero animo Ecclesiae patrocinium suscipere; quod tamen plerumque non sine spirituali detrimento ac periculo fiebat, cum iidem saepius rationibus politicis ducerentur suisque utilitatibus nimium studerent.

§ 4f

[E] Fatemur quidem hodie Nos vehementi dolore affici, quod inter vos complures Ecclesiae Pastores desiderantur, Nobis sane carissimi, qui ob Christi Fidem in vinculis detinentur vel aliis impedimentis praepediuntur, et quorum recordatio Nos permovet ut pro ipsis flagrantissimas Deo preces admoveamus; attamen non sine spe ac magno solacio Nostro hodie factum esse cernimus, ut Ecclesia, tot profanis praeteritae aetatis impedimentis tandem expedita, ex hoc Vaticano Templo, veluti altero Apostolorum Cenaculo, per vos vocem suam, maiestatis gravitatisque plenam, attollere possit.

Praecipuum Concilii munus: doctrina tuenda ac promovenda

§ 5

[E] Quod Concilii Oecumenici maxime interest, hoc est, ut sacrum christianae doctrinae depositum efficaciore ratione custodiatur atque proponatur.

§ 5b

[E] Haec doctrina integrum complectitur hominem, corpore et animo compositum, eademque iubet nos, qui huius terrae incolae sumus, ad caelestem patriam peregrinos contendere.

§ 5c

[E] Id autem ostendit, qua ratione mortalis haec vita componenda sit, ut nos officiis satisfacientes, quibus erga terrestrem et caelestem Civitatem obstringimur, finem nobis a Deo praestitutum assequi valeamus. Scilicet, omnes prorsus homines, sive singuli sive inter se societate coniuncti, sine intermissione officio tenentur caelestia bona consectandi, donec haec vita suppetit, atque ad hoc assequendum, terrenas res adhibendi, ita tamen ut temporalium bonorum usus sempiternam eorum beatitatem in discrimen non adducat.

§ 5d

[E] Verum profecto est, Christum Dominum hanc pronuntiasse sententiam: «Quaerite primum regnum Dei et iustitiam eius» (Mt 6,33). Quae vox «primum» declarat, quo potissimum vires et cogitationes nostras dirigi oporteat; nihilominus minime neglegenda sunt cetera huius Dominici praecepti verba, quae subsequuntur: «et haec omnia adicientur vobis» (Mt 6,34). Ac revera semper fuerunt ac sunt in Ecclesia qui, dum evangelicae perfectioni adipiscendae omni studio vacant, simul ad civilem cultum adiutricem operam conferunt, cum ex eorum vitae exemplis, ex eorumque salutaribus caritatis inceptis, ea, quae in humana societate praestantiora ac nobiliora sunt, haud parum accipiant roboris atque incrementi.

§ 5e

[E] Ut autem haec doctrina multiplices attingat humanae navitatis campos, qui ad singulos homines, ad domesticum convictum, ad socialem vitam pertinent, in primis necesse est, ne Ecclesia oculos a sacro veritatis patrimonio a maioribus accepto umquam avertat; at simul necesse habet, ut praesentia quoque aspiciat tempora, quae novas induxerunt rerum condiciones, novasque vivendi formas, atque nova catholico apostolatui patefecerunt itinera.

§ 5f

[E] Hac de causa Ecclesia mirandis illis humani ingenii inventis doctrinarumque incrementis, quibus hodie utimur, non iners affuit, neque iisdem recte aestimandis impar evasit; sed haec omnia pervigili prosequens cura, homines admonere non desinit, ut super ipsam rerum aspectabilium speciem, oculos ad Deum omnis sapientiae et pulchritudinis fontem convertant, ne iidem, quibus dictum fuit: «Subicite terram et dominamini» [Cfr Gen 1,28], obliviscantur umquam gravissimi illius praecepti: «Dominum Deum tuum adorabis et illi soli servies» (Mt 4,10; Lc 4,8), neu fluxa rerum fascinatio veri nominis progressionem impediat.

Qua ratione hodie doctrina promovenda sit

§ 6

[E] Hisce positis, satis manifestae sunt, Venerabiles Fratres, partes quae, ad doctrinam quod attinet, Concilio Oecumenico sunt demandatae.

§ 6b

[E] Scilicet Concilium Oecumenicum primum et vicesimum -- quod efficaci magnique aestimando auxilio utitur eorum, qui scientia sacrarum disciplinarum, apostolatus exercendi resque recto ordine agendi excellunt -- integram, non imminutam, non detortam tradere vult doctrinam catholicam, quae, licet inter difficultates et contentiones, veluti patrimonium commune hominum evasit. Hoc non omnibus quidem gratum est, tamen cunctis, qui bona voluntate sunt praediti, quasi paratus thesaurus uberrimus proponitur.

§ 6c

[E] Attamen nostrum non est pretiosum hunc thesaurum solum custodire, quasi uni antiquitati studeamus; sed alacres, sine timore, operi, quod nostra exigit aetas, nunc insistamus, iter pergentes, quod Ecclesia a viginti fere saeculis fecit.

§ 6d

[E] Neque opus nostrum, quasi ad finem primarium, eo spectat, ut de quibusdam capitibus praecipuis doctrinae ecclesiasticae disceptetur, atque adeo fusius repetantur ea, quae Patres ac theologi veteres et recentiores tradiderunt, et quae a vobis non ignorari sed in mentibus vestris inhaerere merito putamus.

§ 6e

[E] Etenim ad huiusmodi tantum disputationes habendas non opus erat, ut Concilium Oecumenicum indiceretur. Verumtamen in praesenti oportet ut universa doctrina christiana, nulla parte inde detracta, hic temporibus nostris ab omnibus accipiatur novo studio, mentibus serenis atque pacatis, tradita accurata illa ratione verba concipiendi et in formam redigendi, quae ex actis Concilii Tridentini et Vaticani Primi praesertim elucet; oportet ut, quemadmodum cuncti sinceri rei christianae, catholicae, apostolicae fautores vehementer exoptant, eadem doctrina amplius et altius cognoscatur eaque plenius animi imbuantur atque formentur; oportet ut haec doctrina certa et immutabilis, cui fidele obsequium est praestandum, ea ratione pervestigetur et exponatur, quam tempora postulant nostra. Est enim aliud ipsum depositum Fidei, seu veritates, quae veneranda doctrina nostra continentur, aliud modus, quo eaedem enuntiantur, eodem tamen sensu eademque sententia. Huic quippe modo plurimum tribuendum erit et patienter, si opus fuerit, in eo elaborandum; scilicet eae inducendae erunt rationes res exponendi, quae cum magisterio, cuius indoles praesertim pastoralis est, magis congruant.

Qua ratione errores compescendi sint

§ 7

[E] Ineunte Concilio Oecumenico Vaticano Secundo, manifesto ut alias numquam patet, veritatem Domini in aeternum manere. Siquidem, dum aetas aetati succedit, incertas cernimus hominum opinationes alias alias excipere, atque enascentes errores saepe cito velut nebulam sole depulsam evanescere.

§ 7b

[E] Quibus erroribus Ecclesia nullo non tempore obstitit, eos saepe etiam damnavit, et quidem severitate firmissima. Ad praesens tempus quod attinet, Christi Sponsae placet misericordiae medicinam adhibere, potius quam severitatis arma suscipere; magis quam damnando, suae doctrinae vim uberius explicando putat hodiernis necessitatibus esse consulendum. Non quod desint fallaces doctrinae, opinationes, pericula praecavenda atque dissipanda; sed quia haec omnia tam aperte pugnant cum rectis honestatis principiis, ac tam exitiales peperere fructus, ut hodie homines per se ipsi ea damnare incipere videantur, ac nominatim illas vivendi formas, quae Deum eiusque leges posthabeant, nimiam in technicae artis progressibus positam confidentiam, prosperitatem unice vitae commodis innixam. Ipsi magis magisque norunt, humanae personae dignitatem eiusque congruam perfectionem negotium esse magni momenti et ad expediendum perarduum. Quod autem maxime interest, iidem experiendo tandem didicerunt, externam vim aliis impositam, armorum potentiam, politicum dominatum minime satis esse, ad gravissimas, quae eos angunt, quaestiones feliciter dissolvendas.

§ 7c

[E] Hisce in rerum adiunctis, Catholica Ecclesia, dum per Oecumenicum hoc Concilium religiosae veritatis facem attollit, amantissimam omnium matrem se vult praebere, benignam, patientem, atque erga filios a se seiunctos misericordia ac bonitate permotam Humano generi, tot difficultatibus laboranti, ipsa, ut olim Petrus misero illi qui ab eo stipem rogaverat, dicit: «Argentum et aurum non est mihi: quod autem habeo hoc tibi do; in nomine Iesu Christi Nazareni surge et ambula» (Act 3,6). Scilicet nostrorum temporum hominibus Ecclesia non caducas porrigit divitias, neque beatitatem dumtaxat terrenam pollicetur; sed supernae gratiae bona impertit, quae cum homines ad filiorum Dei dignitatem erigant, tam valido praesidio et adiumento sunt ad humaniorem efficiendam eorum vitam; uberioris doctrinae suae fontes aperit, qua homines luce Christi collustrati penitus intelligere valent, quid ipsi revera sint, qua dignitate excellant, quem finem prosequi debeant; per filios denique suos ubique christianae caritatis spatia dilatat, qua ad dissensionum semina evellenda nihil est aptius, et ad provehendam concordiam, iustam pacem fraternamque omnium unitatem nihil est efficacius.

Unitas in christiana et humana familia fovenda

§ 8

[E] Huiusmodi Ecclesiae sollicitudo de veritate promovenda atque tuenda, ex eo proficiscitur, quod, secundum Dei consilium, «qui omnes homines vult salvos fieri, et ad agnitionem veritatis venire» (1 Tim 2,4), homines nonnisi integrae revelatae doctrinae praesidio aucti, ad absolutam firmissimamque animorum unitatem pervenire possunt, quacum veri nominis pax sempiternaque salus coniungitur.

§ 8b

[E] Hanc autem visibilem unitatem in veritate, nondum, pro dolor, universa christianorum familia plene perfecteque assecuta est. At Ecclesia Catholica officii sui esse ducit sedulam conferre operam ad magnum complendum mysterium illius unitatis, quam Christus Iesus, imminente sacrificio suo, a Caelesti Patre flagrantissimis rogavit precibus; atque suavissima fruitur pace, sciens se cum hisce Christi precibus arctissime esse coniunctam; quin etiam sincero animo gaudet, cum animadvertit has precationes etiam inter eos, qui extra eiusdem saepta versantur, salutares atque uberiores usque multiplicare fructus. Etenim, si rem probe consideramus, haec ipsa unitas, quam Iesus Christus pro Ecclesia sua impetravit, quasi triplici supernae salutarisque lucis radio coruscare videtur, cui respondent: unitas catholicorum inter se, quae firmissima atque in exemplum praelucens servetur oportet; unitas praeterea ex piis precibus et flagrantissimis votis constans, qua christiani ab hac Apostolica Sede seiuncti expetunt ut nobiscum coniungantur; unitas denique existimatione atque observantia erga Ecclesiam Catholicam innixa, ab iis exhibita, qui diversas religionis formas adhuc non christianas profitentur.

§ 8c

[E] Quam ad rem, est maxime lugendum, quod ingens adhuc humani generis pars -- quamvis omnes homines qui nascuntur ipsi quoque Christi Sanguine sint redempti -- nondum participet supernae gratiae fontes, qui in Ecclesia Catholica habentur. Quo fit ut de Ecclesia Catholica, cuius lux omnia illuminat et cuius supernaturalis unitatis vis in universae hominum familiae profectum redundat, apte cadant haec Sancti Cypriani praeclara praeconia:

Ecclesia Domini luce perfusa per orbem totum radios suos porrigit; unum tamen lumen est quod ubique diffunditur nec unitas corporis separatur. Ramos suos in universam terram copia ubertatis extendit, profluentes largiter rivos latius pandit: unum tamen caput est et origo una et una mater fecunditatis successibus copiosa: illius fetu nascimur, illius lacte nutrimur, spiritu eius animamur.

§ 8d

Venerabiles Fratres,

[E] Hoc sibi proponit Oecumenica Synodus Vaticana Secunda; quae, dum praecipuas Ecclesiae vires in unum congregat, atque enixe studet, ut salutis nuntium ab hominibus libentius excipiatur, quasi viam sternit ac munit ad efficiendam illam humani generis unitatem, quae veluti necessarium fundamentum est, ut terrena Civitas in similitudinem componatur Civitatis caelestis, «cuius rex veritas, cuius lex caritas, cuius modus aeternitas».

Conclusio

§ 9

[E] Nunc autem «os nostrum patet ad vos» (2 Cor 6,11), Venerabiles in Episcopatu Fratres. Ecce nos iam in unum congregatos in hac Vaticana Basilica, ubi Ecclesiae historiae cardo vertitur, ubi nunc Caelum et terra artissimo coniunguntur foedere; hic ad Sancti Petri sepulcrum, ad tot Sanctorum Decessorum Nostrorum tumulos, quorum cineres hac sollemni hora quasi arcano quodam fremitu exsultare videntur.

§ 9b

[E] Quod incohatur Concilium, veluti dies in Ecclesia oritur splendidissima luce refulgens. Tantum aurora est; et iam primi orientis solis radii quam suaviter animos afficiunt nostros! Omnia hic sanctitatem spirant, laetitiam excitant. Contemplamur enim stellas claritate sua maiestatem huius templi adaugere, quae, teste Ioanne Apostolo, vos estis; et per vos quasi aurea lucere candelabra circa Principis Apostolorum sepulcrum, quae sunt Ecclesiae vobis concreditae. Simul cernimus viros dignitate amplissimos, qui e quinque continentibus terris Romam convenerunt, suarum Nationum personam acturi, quique omni cum reverentia atque humanissima cum exspectatione hic adsunt.

§ 9c

[E] Quare plane dicendum est, Caelites et homines ad celebrandum Concilium consociatam conferre operam. Beatorum Caelitum partes hae sunt, ut labores tueantur nostros; christifidelium, ut flagrantes preces ad Deum fundere pergant; vestrum omnium, ut supernis Spiritus Sancti impulsionibus prompte obsecuti, alacriter detis operam, ut labores vestri variarum gentium optatis ac necessitatibus apprime respondeant. Haec ut contingant, a vobis postulantur serena animorum pax, fraterna concordia, coeptorum temperantia, disceptationum dignitas, deliberationum omnium sapientia.

§ 9d

[E] Utinam studia atque opera vestra, in quae non tantum populorum oculi sed spes quoque universi orbis sunt conversae, exspectationem cumulate expleant.

§ 9e

[E] Omnipotens Deus, in Te, nostris diffisi viribus, fiduciam totam reponimus. Super hos Ecclesiae tuae Pastores benignus respice. Supernae tuae gratiae lumen Nobis adsit consilium capientibus, adsit leges ferentibus; et quas una Fide, uno ore, uno animo ad Te preces fundimus, libenter exaudi.

§ 9f

[E] O Maria, Auxilium Christianorum, Auxilium Episcoporum, cuius amorem nuper in Lauretano templo tuo, ubi Incarnationis mysterium venerari placuit, peculiari modo experti sumus, omnia ad laetum, faustum, prosperum exitum tua ope dispone; tuque una cum Sancto Ioseph Sponso tuo, cum Sanctis Petro et Paulo Apostolis, Sanctis Ioanne Baptista et Evangelista, apud Deum intercede pro nobis.

§ 9g

[E] Iesu Christo, Redemptori nostro amantissimo, Regi immortali populorum et temporum, amor, potestas et gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

A.A.S., vol. LIV (1962), n. 14, pp. 786-796.

© Copyright 1962 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Mother Church Rejoices: Opening Address of John XXIII at the Council

§ 1

[L] Mother Church rejoices that, by the singular gift of Divine Providence, the longed-for day has finally dawned when -- under the auspices of the Virgin Mother of God, whose maternal dignity is commemorated on this feast -- the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council is being solemnly opened here beside St. Peter’s tomb.

The Ecumenical Councils of the Church

§ 2

[L] The councils -- both the twenty ecumenical ones and the numberless others, also important, of a provincial or regional character which have been held down through the years -- all prove clearly the vigor of the Catholic Church and are recorded as shining lights in her annals.

§ 2b

[L] In calling this vast assembly of bishops, the latest and humble successor of the Prince of the Apostles who is addressing you intended to assert once again the Church’s magisterium, which is unfailing and perdures until the end of time, in order that this magisterium, taking into account the errors, the requirements and the opportunities of our time, might be presented in exceptional form to all men throughout the world.

§ 2c

[L] It is but natural that in opening this universal council we should like to look to the past and to listen to its voices, whose echo we like to hear in the memories and the merits of the more recent and ancient pontiffs, our predecessors. These are solemn and venerable voices, throughout the East and the West, from the fourth century to the Middle Ages, and from there to modern times, which have handed down their witness to those councils. They are voices which proclaim in perennial fervor the triumph of that divine and human institution, the Church of Christ, which from Jesus takes its name, its grace and its meaning.

§ 2d

[L] Side by side with these motives for spiritual joy, however, there has also been for more than nineteen centuries a cloud of sorrows and of trials. Not without reason did the ancient Simeon announce to Mary the Mother of Jesus, that prophecy which has been and still is true: Behold this child is set for the fall and the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted (Luke 2, 34). And Jesus Himself, when He grew up, clearly outlined the manner in which the world would treat His person down through the succeeding centuries with the mysterious words: He who hears you, hears me (ibid. 10, 16), and with those others that the same Evangelist relates: He who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters (ibid. 11, 23).

§ 2e

[L] The great problem confronting the world after almost 2,000 years remains unchanged. Christ is ever resplendent as the center of history and of life. Men are either with Him and His Church, and then they enjoy light, goodness, order and peace. Or else they are without Him, or against Him, and deliberately opposed to His Church, and then they give rise to confusion, to bitterness in human relations, and to the constant danger of fratricidal wars.

§ 2f

[L] Ecumenical councils, whenever they are assembled, are a solemn celebration of the union of Christ and His Church and hence lead to the universal radiation of truth, to the proper guidance of individuals in domestic and social life, to the strengthening of spiritual energies for a perennial uplift toward real and everlasting goodness.

§ 2g

[L] The testimony of this extraordinary magisterium of the Church in the succeeding epochs of these twenty centuries of Christian history stands before us collected in numerous and imposing volumes, which are the sacred patrimony of our ecclesiastical archives, here in Rome and in the more noted libraries of the entire world.

The Origin and Reason for the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council

§ 3

[L] As regards the initiative for the great event which gathers us here, it will suffice to repeat as historical documentation our personal account of the first sudden bringing up in our heart and lips of the simple words, “ecumenical council.” We uttered those words in the presence of the Sacred College of Cardinals on that memorable Jan. 25, 1959, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, in the basilica dedicated to him. It was completely unexpected, like a flash of heavenly light, shedding sweetness in eyes and hearts. And at the same time it gave rise to a great fervor throughout the world in expectation of the holding of the council.

§ 3b

[L] There have elapsed three years of laborious preparation, during which a wide and profound examination was made regarding modern conditions of faith and religious practice, and of Christian and especially Catholic vitality.

§ 3c

[L] These years have seemed to us a first sign, an initial gift of celestial grace.

§ 3d

[L] Illuminated by the light of this council, the Church -- we confidently trust -- will become greater in spiritual riches and, gaining the strength of new energies therefrom, she will look to the future without fear. In fact, by bringing herself up-to-date where required [opportunis inductis emendationibus], and by the wise organization of mutual cooperation, the Church will make men, families and peoples really turn their minds to heavenly things.

§ 3e

[L] And thus the holding of the council becomes a motive for wholehearted thanksgiving to the Giver of every good gift, in order to celebrate with joyous canticles the glory of Christ Our Lord, the glorious and immortal King of ages and of peoples.

Opportuneness of Holding the Council

§ 4

[L] There is, moreover, venerable brothers, another subject which it is useful to propose for your consideration. Namely, in order to render our joy more complete, we wish to narrate before this great assembly our assessment of the happy circumstances under which the ecumenical council commences.

§ 4b

[L] In the daily exercise of our pastoral office, we sometimes have to listen, much to our regret, to voices of persons who, though burning with zeal, are not endowed with too much sense of discretion or measure. In these modern times they can see nothing but prevarication and ruin. They say that our era, in comparison with past eras, is getting worse and they behave as though they had learned nothing from history, which is, none the less, the teacher of life. They behave as though at the time of former councils everything was a full triumph for the Christian idea and life and for proper religious liberty.

§ 4c

[L] We feel we must disagree with those prophets of gloom, who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world was at hand.

§ 4d

[L] In the present order of things, Divine Providence is leading us to a new order of human relations which, by men’s own efforts and even beyond their very expectations, are directed toward the fulfillment of God’s superior and inscrutable designs. And everything, even human differences, leads to the greater good of the Church.

§ 4e

[L] It is easy to discern this reality if we consider attentively the world of today, which is so busy with politics and controversies in the economic order that it does not find time to attend to the care of spiritual reality, with which the Church’s magisterium is concerned. Such a way of acting is certainly not right, and must justly be disapproved. It cannot be denied, however, that these new conditions of modern life have at least the advantage of having eliminated those innumerable obstacles by which at one time the sons of this world impeded the free action of the Church. In fact, it suffices to leaf even cursorily through the pages of ecclesiastical history to note clearly how the ecumenical councils themselves, while constituting a series of true glories for the Catholic Church, were often held to the accompaniment of most serious difficulties and sufferings because of the undue interference of civil authorities. The princes of this world, indeed, sometimes in all sincerity, intended thus to protect the Church. But more frequently this occurred not without spiritual damage and danger, since their interest therein was guided by the views of a selfish and perilous policy.

§ 4f

[L] In this regard, we confess to you that we feel most poignant sorrow over the fact that very many bishops, so dear to us, are noticeable here today by their absence, because they are imprisoned for their faithfulness to Christ, or impeded by other restraints. The thought of them impels us to raise most fervent prayer to God. Nevertheless, we see today, not without great hopes and to our immense consolation, that the Church, finally freed from so many obstacles of a profane nature such as trammeled her in the past, can from this Vatican basilica, as if from a second apostolic cenacle, and through your intermediary, raise her voice resonant with majesty and greatness.

Principal Duty of the Council: The Defense and Advancement of Truth [Doctrina]

§ 5

[L] The greatest concern of the ecumenical council is this: that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught more efficaciously.

§ 5b

[L] That doctrine embraces the whole of man, composed as he is of body and soul. And, since he is a pilgrim on this earth, it commands him to tend always toward heaven.

§ 5c

[L] This demonstrates how our mortal life is to be ordered in such a way as to fulfill our duties as citizens of earth and of heaven and thus to attain the aim of life as established by God. That is, all men, whether taken singly or as united in society, today have the duty of tending ceaselessly during their lifetime toward the attainment of heavenly things and to use only for this purpose the earthly goods, the employment of which must not prejudice their eternal happiness.

§ 5d

[L] The Lord has said: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice” (Matt. 6,33). The word “first” expresses the direction in which our thoughts and energies must move. We must not, however, neglect the other words of this exhortation of Our Lord, namely: “And all these things shall be given you besides” (ibid.). In reality, there always have been in the Church, and there are still today, those who, while seeking the practice of evangelical perfection with all their might, do not fail to make themselves useful to society. Indeed, it is from their constant example of life and their charitable undertakings that all that is highest and noblest in human society takes its strength and growth.

§ 5e

[L] In order, however, that this doctrine may influence the numerous fields of human activity, with reference to individuals, to families and to social life, it is necessary first of all that the Church should never depart from the sacred patrimony of truth received from the Fathers. But at the same time she must ever look to the present, to the new conditions and new forms of life introduced into the modern world which have opened new avenues to the Catholic apostolate.

§ 5f

[L] For this reason the Church has not watched inertly the marvelous progress of the discoveries of human genius and has not been backward in evaluating them rightly. But, while following these developments, she does not neglect to admonish men so that, over and above sense-perceived things, they may raise their eyes to God, the Source of all wisdom and all beauty. And may they [to whom it was said "subdue the earth and rule it," (Cf. Gen 1:28)] never forget the most serious command: “The Lord thy God shalt thou worship, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Matt. 4,10; Luke 4,8), so that it may not happen that the fleeting fascination of visible things should impede true progress.

Manner in Which Sacred Doctrine May Be Spread

§ 6

[L] This having been established, it becomes clear how much is expected from the council in regard to doctrine.

§ 6b

[L] That is, the twenty-first ecumenical council -- which will draw upon the effective and important wealth of juridical, liturgical, apostolic and administrative experiences [auxilio utitur eorum, qui scientia sacrarum disciplinarum, apostolatus exercendi resque recto ordine agendi excellunt,] -- wishes to transmit the doctrine, pure and integral, without any attenuation or distortion, which throughout twenty centuries, notwithstanding difficulties and contrasts, has become the common patrimony of men. It is a patrimony not well received by all, but always a rich treasure available to men of good will.

§ 6c

[L] Our duty is not only to guard this precious treasure, as if we were concerned only with antiquity, but to dedicate ourselves with an earnest will and without fear to that work which our era demands of us, pursuing thus the path which the Church has followed for twenty centuries.

§ 6d

[L] The salient point of this council is not, therefore, a discussion of one article or another of the fundamental doctrine of the Church which has repeatedly been taught by the Fathers and by ancient and modern theologians, and which is presumed to be well known and familiar to all.

§ 6e

[L] For this a council was not necessary. But from the renewed, serene and tranquil adherence to all the teaching of the Church in its entirety and preciseness, as it still shines forth in the acts of the Council of Trent and First Vatican Council, the Christian, Catholic and apostolic spirit of the whole world expects a step forward toward a doctrinal penetration and a formation of consciences in faithful and perfect conformity to the authentic doctrine which, however, should be studied and expounded through the methods of research and through the literary forms of modern thought. The substance of the ancient doctrine of the Deposit of Faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being measured in the forms and proportions of a magisterium which is predominantly pastoral in character.

How to Repress Errors

§ 7

[L] At the outset of the Second Vatican Council, it is evident, as always, that the truth of the Lord will remain forever. We see, in fact, as one age succeeds another, that the opinions of men follow one another and exclude each other. And often errors vanish as quickly as they arise, like fog before the sun.

§ 7b

[L] The Church has always opposed these errors. Frequently she has condemned them with the greatest severity. Nowadays, however, the spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity. She considers that she meets the needs of the present day by demonstrating the validity of her teaching rather than by condemnations. Not, certainly, that there is a lack of fallacious teaching, opinions and dangerous concepts to be guarded against and dissipated. But these are so obviously in contrast with the right norm of honesty, and have produced such lethal fruits, that by now it would seem that men of themselves are inclined to condemn them, particularly those ways of life which despise God and His law or place excessive confidence in technical progress and a well-being based exclusively on the comforts of life. They are ever more deeply convinced of the paramount dignity of the human person and of his perfectioning, as well as of the duties which that implies. Even more important, experience has taught men that violence inflicted on others, the might of arms and political domination, are of no help at all in finding a happy solution to the grave problems which afflict them.

§ 7c

[L] That being so, the Catholic Church, raising the torch of religious truth by means of this ecumenical council, desires to show herself to be the loving mother of all, benign, patient, full of mercy and goodness toward the children separated from her. To the human race, oppressed by so many difficulties, she says like Peter of old to the poor man who begged alms from him: “Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, that I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk” (Acts, 3,6). In other words, the Church does not offer to the men of today riches that pass, nor does she promise them a merely earthly happiness. But she distributes to them the goods of divine grace which, raising men to the dignity of sons of God, are the most efficacious safeguards and aids toward a more human life. She opens the fountain of her life-giving doctrine which allows men, enlightened by the light of Christ, to understand well what they really are, what their lofty dignity and their purpose are, and, finally, through her children, she spreads everywhere the fulness of Christian charity, than which nothing is more effective in eradicating the seeds of discord, nothing more efficacious in promoting concord, just peace and the brotherly unity of all.

The Unity of the Christian and Human Family Must Be Promoted

§ 8

[L] The Church’s solicitude to promote and defend truth derives from the fact that, according to the plan of God, who wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2,4), men without the assistance of the whole of revealed doctrine cannot reach a complete and firm unity of minds, with which are associated true peace and eternal salvation.

§ 8b

[L] Unfortunately, the entire Christian family has not yet fully attained to this visible unity in truth. The Catholic Church, therefore, considers it her duty to work actively so that there may be fulfilled the great mystery of that unity, which Jesus Christ invoked with fervent prayer from His Heavenly Father on the eve of His sacrifice. She rejoices in peace, knowing well that she is intimately associated with that prayer, and then exults greatly at seeing that invocation extend its efficacy with salutary fruit even among those who are outside her fold. Indeed, if one considers well this same unity which Christ implored for His Church, it seems to shine, as it were, with a triple ray of beneficent supernal light: namely, the unity of Catholics among themselves, which must always be kept exemplary and most firm; the unity of prayers and ardent desires with which those Christians, separated from this Apostolic See, aspire to be united with us; and the unity in esteem and respect for the Catholic Church which animates those who follow non-Christian religions.

§ 8c

[L] In this regard, it is a source of considerable sorrow to see that the greater part of the human race -- although all men who are born were redeemed by the blood of Christ -- does not yet participate in those sources of divine grace which exist in the Catholic Church. Hence the Church, whose light illumines all, whose strength of supernatural unity redounds to the advantage of all humanity is rightly described in these beautiful words of St. Cyprian:

The Church, surrounded by divine light, spreads her rays over the entire earth. This light, however, is one and unique, and shines everywhere without causing any separation in the unity of the body. She extends her branches over the whole world by her fruitfulness; she sends ever farther afield her rivulets. Nevertheless, the head is always one, the origin one, for she is the one mother, abundantly fruitful. We are born of her, are nourished by her milk, we live of her spirit. (St. Cyprian, De Catholicae Eccles. Unitate, 5)

§ 8d

Venerable brothers,

[L] Such is the aim of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, which, while bringing together the Church’s best energies and striving to have men welcome more favorably the good tidings of salvation, prepares, as it were, and consolidates the path toward that unity of mankind which is required as a necessary foundation in order that the earthly city may be brought to the resemblance of that heavenly city where truth reigns, charity is the law, and whose extent is eternity (cfr. St. Augustine, Epistle 138, 3).

Conclusion

§ 9

[L] Now, “our voice is directed to you” (2 Cor. 6, II), venerable brothers in the episcopate. Behold we are gathered together in this Vatican basilica, upon which hinges the history of the Church where heaven and earth are closely joined, here near the tomb of Peter and near so many of the tombs of our holy predecessors, whose ashes in this solemn hour seem to thrill in mystic exultation.

§ 9b

[L] The council now beginning rises in the Church like daybreak, a forerunner of most splendid light. It is now only dawn. And already, at this first announcement of the rising day, how much sweetness fills our heart. Everything here breathes sanctity and arouses great joy. Let us contemplate the stars, which with their brightness augment the majesty of this temple. These stars, according to the testimony of the Apostle John (Apoc. 1,20), are you, and with you we see shining around the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, the golden candlelabra. That is, the church is confided to you (ibid.). We see here with you important personalities, present in an attitude of great respect and cordial expectation, having come together in Rome from the five continents to represent the nations of the world.

§ 9c

[L] We might say that heaven and earth are united in the holding of the council -- the saints of heaven to protect our work, the faithful of the earth continuing in prayer to the Lord, and you, seconding the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in order that the work of all may correspond to the [modern?] expectations and needs of the various peoples of the world. This requires of you serenity of mind, brotherly concord, moderation in proposals, dignity in discussion and wisdom of deliberation.

§ 9d

[L] God grant that your labors and your work, toward which the eyes of all peoples and the hopes of the entire world are turned, may abundantly fulfill the aspirations of all.

§ 9e

[L] Almighty God! In Thee we place all our confidence, not trusting in our own strength. Look down benignly upon these pastors of Thy Church. May the light of Thy supernal grace aid us in taking decisions and in making laws. Graciously hear the prayers which we pour forth to Thee in unanimity of faith, of voice and of mind.

§ 9f

[L] O Mary, Help of Christians, Help of Bishops, of whose love we have recently had particular proof in thy temple of Loreto, where we venerated the mystery of the Incarnation, dispose all things for a happy and propitious outcome and, with thy spouse, St. Joseph, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, intercede for us to God.

§ 9g

[L] To Jesus Christ, our most amiable Redeemer, immortal King of peoples and of times, be love, power and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

© 1965 by The National Catholic Welfare Conference, Inc. (now known as USCCB). All rights reserved.

Glossary

accendō accendere accendī accēnsus: kindle, set on fire; accensionem: firing

pervolvere: roll