Pope Francis and Vatican II
Pope Francis, has pledged to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
Those who reject the teaching of the Second Vatican Council are placing themselves outside the Church, Pope Francis has said. Francis’ remarks are his strongest criticism yet of Catholics who have called Vatican II into question including some “conservative” Catholics who oppose the direction of his pontifficate. “Either you are with the Church and therefore you follow the council, or you interpret it in your own away – according to your desire – and you do not stand with the Church,” The Pope has pledged to implement the reforms of the 1962-65 council, the gathering of bishops that sought to reinvigorate the Church. The council aimed to open a dialogue with the contemporary world and other religions and connect Catholicism more firmly with its Gospel roots. It sought a vision of the Church on the side of the marginalised speaking prophetically about the “joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties” of all people. (Tablet)


