The relevance of Church in the present world

Panaji – The Second Vatican Council (1962–65) is easily the most momentous event within the Catholic Church in the 21st century. Its far–reaching impact on the Church is only gradually being felt. It articulated a social mission of the Church that highlighted a paradigm shift ‘from suspicion to dialogue’ with the world today.

This paradigm shift was best expressed in the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the World Today (often referred to as ‘Gaudium et Spes’ – joys and hopes – in Latin). On the 40th anniversary of this monumental document, we reflect on its implications, particularly in the field of Catholic theology.