Lecture 3 - Introduction to the Contemporary Theology of Mission

Question 1

Teaching office of church

Answer 1

Christ shares his infallibility with the church (magisterium)
Foundation for magisterium - power given to 12 to bind and loose, Peters keys of kingdom
Apostolic succession (cf Isaiah 22:22)
Body of bishops in union with Pope exercise “supreme magisterium” in ecumenical council
As an ecumenical council, a Catholic cannot dismiss the teaching of Vatican II. But not everything has the same doctrinal weight

Question 2

Vatican II background

Answer 2

Called by Pope John XXIII to respond to a crisis - the phenomenon of modern unbelief. End of Christendom (dechristianisation)
Called for Aggiornamento “updating” fresh language to speak to a modern people
Bishops and periti - “return to the sources” ressourcement - scriptures and Fathers of the Church
Ressourcement for the sake of Aggiornamento

Question 3

Vatican II documents

Answer 3

4 Constitutions
1. Sacrosanctum Concilium - on sacred liturgy
2. Dei Verbum - on Divine Revelation
3. Gaudium et Spes - Church in the Modern World
4. Lumen Gentium - on Church (ad intra)
Other documents - including Ad Gentes - on Missionary Activity