Part 6 - Intro: The Post Vatican II Revolution

Introduction

If Vatican II introduced new theological principles and priorities, the next question is what happened when those ideas were translated into the ordinary life of the Church. This Part examines the liturgical, sacramental, disciplinary and pastoral changes that followed the Council, and asks whether they were merely accidental abuses or reflected a deeper transformation.

We will consider the replacement of the Traditional Roman Mass, changes to Catholic churches and Eucharistic practice, revisions to the sacramental rites, questions concerning Holy Orders, the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the new Catechism, as well as the growth of charismatic and Protestant-influenced practices. We will also examine what happened to Catholic belief, Mass attendance, religious vocations and the supernatural focus of Catholic life in the decades that followed.

The central conclusion to be examined is whether the post-conciliar transformation was simply a collection of unfortunate local excesses, or whether it represented the practical implementation of the new theological and pastoral direction established by Vatican II.

We therefore begin with the broadest question: What changed in Catholic life after Vatican II?