Second Vatican and the Roman Council Essay Example for Free

Second Vatican and the Roman Council Essay What changes did the Second Vatican Council made to the Roman Catholic? The Second Vatican Council that is also referred to as the Vatican II took place in 1962-1965. It is also called the 21st Roman Catholic’s ecumenical. The council was initiated by John XXIII the pope of the Roman Catholic Church and continued up to the times of Paul IV. It was specifically concerned with renewing spiritually the Roman Catholic and to address the position of the church in the whole world. This council made a number of significant changes to the Roman church especially on liturgy, church constitution, on ecumenism etc. The purpose of this research paper is to discuss in details the reforms that were made in the Roman Catholic Church. The first announced purpose of this council was to make some reforms on liturgy. This was a change that was proposed such that if implemented the laymen would be encouraged to come closer to the church and increase their participation in the church matters. This was also intended to bring as many laymen as possible to the church so that there would be diversity in terms of the languages as well as in practice. This was based on understanding that various groups in the world have different cultures thus incorporating different groups in the church was the most viable means of bringing diversity. Much emphasis was also directed on the bishops’ pastoral duties so as to differentiate their role from other administrative duties. By the time this council adjourned, the council had discussed these issues and came up with four terms and definitions of these proposed changes that were based on mutual agreement. (Flannery, A 1996) When the council convened again in September to December 1963 the sacred liturgy constitution was passed. This constitution allowed the use of local languages and increased participation of the laymen in the church rituals. (Greeley A. 2004) The second Vatican unlike the past councils was particularly concerned with the renewal of the church and to make citizens to be committed to the church matters. The past council mainly addressed the punishment issues so as to combat heresies. The council came up with what was referred as the constitutions on divine revelations, on the church on 11th November 1964 and the pastoral constitution. The liturgy constitution was after mass participation in the church matters. In this constitution, Latin language, which was being used in the past, was replaced with other vernacular dialects. This constitution also provided the common ground of dealing with Protestants, orthodox and those that were considered as non-Christians. Here the Roman Catholic departed from making harsh policies against the above mentioned groups and instead condemned all acts that were viewed as anti Semitic. The council also deployed the persecution and hatred ness against the Protestants. Generally the council reformed the past constitution something that led to increase church freedom. (Daniel-Rops H. 1962) The church constitution was concerned with the biblical understanding of the juridical model, which was in use for many years. The Roman Catholics came to be regarded as the people of God thereby asking the servant nature of follower the prime concern His touched offices like the bishop and for the priests. The constitution made a provision that would allow bishops to have collegial responsibility in church affairs. The ordinary church members were also not left out as the constitution came upon these members to be sanctified so that they would help the church in spreading the gospel to the Christians in every part of the world. The tone of the constitution on pastoral matters was clearly expressed in the opening words in the council, â€Å"Joy and hope the grief and anguish of contemporary humanity particularly of poor and afflicted. † The debate stated with theological matters affecting humanity and then shifted to other areas that affected humanity such as cultural family, economic and well as family and marriage. (McGrory, B. 2004) This church constitution had eight chapters that were referred as the Lumen Gentium and this particularly completed the work of the first Vatican. This constitution in chapter three addressed the pope’s infallibility but no big change was made except the fact that pope’s infallibility was also extended to the Roman Catholic bishops especially when they are pursuing the church doctrines. The roman primacy was also reemphasized on this constitution but of paramount concern was the bishop’s centrality, which was strongly affirmed. This was in line with the collegiality principle or sharing responsibilities. (Flannery, A 1996) This is in other words affirmed that bishops were just like the body of apostle that Peter headed. By incorporating the Episcopal collegiality, papal primacy and infallibility solved the long continued tension between the council and the. The chapter 4 of this church constitution changed the tenaciously held believe that the clergy only formed church and nobody else mattered. This belief changed so that the church came to be seen as the ‘people of God. ’ With these changes, the church phased out the old traditions and switched to the modern world church. The transition was marked by use of people from all walks of life to promulgate the gospel of Christ. They were the church’s representatives just as it was the case in the times of the Christ. This changed the long-standing belief that only nuns, monks and clergies that possessed the Christian calling. This was changed so that the Roman Catholic would spread its gospel to all areas that in the past were inaccessible. The second Vatican council while forming the second dogmatic constitution touched on the sacred traditions and the church’s functions. They were aware that though the appropriate approach in spreading the gospel was to be used, the content and the harmonization of the scripture was of prime importance. The scripture was to be interpreted depending on the sacred tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. The emphasy was placed on the biblical decree and specifically on its centrality. This council resolved that it was to be ensured that everybody had an access to the sacred scripture. (Bokenkotter T. 1979) This sacred was quickly implemented and the results were evident within a very short time and there was particularly because of the legislation of using vernacular languages in spreading the gospel unlike in the past where Latin was the only recognized language. Another reason why it spread very fast is because unlike in the past where the Roman Catholic only relied on the clergies, monks and nuns to spread the gospel, this time through the constitutional reform, laymen were also entrusted with the work of spreading the same. About the mass sacrifice there were notable changes that were made for example the celebrant was not supposed to say privately those verses that were sung by the choir or by the deacon however they were allowed to sing along with the members in reciting the ordinary of the mass such as the Gloria and the Credo. Also there was supposed to a ‘secret’ prayer to be sung either loudly or secretly prior to preface. (Ker 2002) On ecumenism, the traditional method of teaching was maintained but was dramatically adapted. It was emphasized that only through the Roman Catholic Church of the Christians that salvation would be achieved. There were notable changes especially in the way Protestants and Anglicans were viewed. In the past they were viewed as enemies and were strongly condemned but this time they started seen as Christians while the eastern orthodox was deemed as the descendants of the apostles. The Roman church stopped believed that the solution to the church division was the return of all these churches to Rome but the believed that the solution was to let all participate and fulfill what their God wanted. (Gilbert A 1968) In conclusion, we can say that the second Vatican council made some significant reforms in the Roman Catholic. This is what could be referred to as the turning point between its dark past and the modern Roman Catholic Church. The changes that were brought by this council of the 1962 up to 1965 had some positive results for example viewing Christians as people of God, primacy and infallibility of the papal and the extension of this to the bishops, the inclusion of laymen in the spread of gospel and the condemnation of the persecution against the Protestants and the Jews. Work Cited. Bokenkotter T. A Concise History of the Catholic Church. Garden City, New York: Image. 1979: 36 Daniel-Rops H. The Second Vatican Council. D. C. Pawley.1962: 78-87. Flannery, A. , ed. Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, and Declarations. Costello Pub Co. 1996: 98 Gilbert A. : The Vatican Council and the Jews. Cleveland, World Publishing Co. , 1968: 112 Greeley A. The Catholic Revolution: New Wine, Old Wineskins, and the Second Vatican Council. Berkeley: University of California Press. 2004: 122-125. Ker I. What did the Second Vatican Council do for us? 2002. Accessed at http://www. christendom-awake. org/pages/ianker/vatican2. html on March 29 2008 McGrory, B. The Parish Council Empowers People: Church, Second Vatican. Catholic New Times. 20th June, 2004: 23-27

Scarlet Letter Essay + :: essays research papers

Throughout life we all will be faced with hypocrites or have the choice to be true to ourselves or to deceive ourselves. Especially as a Christian you may wonder if people look at you as a hypocrite and should also strive to not be one. Of course, the most important part is to be true to yourself because only then may you be true to God and to others. Nathaniel Hawthorne also shows this in The Scarlet Letter through the characters he portrays. In chapter 20, Hawthorne writes, “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one fact to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.'; Hiding the truth from others just confuses life and oneself. Hawthorne often focuses on the point that truth reveals itself. For instance, Hester Prynne was quite aware of the fact that truth will be revealed. She was forced to wear a scarlet “A'; on her bosom, which stood for adultery, for her entire life. Truth was revealed to Hester by the fact that she became pregnant with a child as a result of her sin. Pearl noticed her mother’s scarlet A as a baby and was attracted to it instantly for some reason. Pearl notices the letter as an infant as her “eyes had been caught by the glimmering of the gold embroidery about the letter, and, putting up her hand, she grasped at it…';(98) and Hester feels the “torture inflicted by the intelligent touch of Pearl’s baby hand.'; (98). This seems to suggest that truth was once again revealed to Hester whenever Pearl noticed the scarlet letter and it shows how Pearl seemed to know the significance of the letter as an infant. While Hawthorne shows how truth revealed itself to Hester he shows a different way that truth was revealed to Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. At the beginning of the novel Dimmesdale seems to be doing a good job of keeping his secret to the whole town who respects him immensely. Although in the first chapter Reverend Dimmesdale argues on Hester’s behalf the town seems to think nothing of this other than that he is trying to not judge her. As the new doctor in town Roger Chillingworth befriends Reverend Dimmesdale. Chillingworth notices a scarlet letter of guilt on the Reverend’s chest and soon begins to take his revenge. The doctor who plays on the Reverend’s guilt increases Dimmesdale’s torment.

Grade Thinking

Thinking as a Hobby In â€Å"Thinking as a Hobby†, William believes that most people are grade three thinkers. Grade three thinkers tend to feel, and not to think. Golding gives an example of his teacher Mr. Houghton, who would always talk about â€Å"good life, sexless, and free of duty†, while â€Å"his neck would turn of itself† if a girl passed by the window (164). I think he is right; most people will speak or do without speaking.For example, William says in his essay, â€Å"A crowd of grade-three thinkers, all shouting the same thing, all warming their hands at the fire of their own prejudices, will not thank you for pointing out the contradictions in their beliefs† (165). I have known of people speaking their minds, and not caring if it hurts the other person. To be a grade-three thinker is to live the unexpected life. One particular individual that he describes in this passage is a school teacher by the name of Miss Parson. He feels that Miss Parso n pretended to care, and to be concerned for her class.Actually, the only concern she had was finding her a husband. To me, grade three thinkers are considered immature and selfish. When you try to reason with them, they either respond one of two ways, they get mad and turn it into a shouting match or they get defensive. I thought William did a good job on describing grade three thinkers, because it describes most people. People only care about themselves, and not how it may affect others. Also, grade three thinkers, often think everything is true and will fight with anyone if they try to prove them wrong. Overall, William Golding did an excellent job on grade three thinking.

Eating to Live Longer - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 1012 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/09/21 Category Advertising Essay Type Argumentative essay Tags: Study Essay Did you like this example? Eating to Live Longer We have heard the saying â€Å"we are what we eat. † Researchers believe that eating certain foods will boost our immune system, foods such as garlic, and oranges. To help reduce the chances of a heart attack, we should eat less fat, sodium, cholesterol, fewer calories, and more fiber. Making better food choices for a healthy body does not mean that we have to exclude all our favorite foods. Healthy foods create energy in our body and provide minerals and vitamins to keep us healthy. There are many fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants that prevent heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Many researchers believe that eating a calorie restricted diet will extend our life span. Eating a healthy diet of foods that boost our immune system will increase our blood flow and decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease. Eating the proper types of foods to boost our immune system will increase the number of whit e blood cells. Vitamin C is at the top of the list of immune boosters, because there has been a great deal of research on the effect of Vitamin C than any other nutrient. Production of Vitamin C supplement is inexpensive and is available naturally in many fruit and vegetables such as; oranges, lemons, lime, grapefruit, broccoli, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, green peppers, and kale. Vitamin C increases the production of infection fighting white blood cells, antibodies, and increase levels of interferon. Vitamin C also produces the antibodies that coat cell surfaces preventing the entry of viruses (Sears, 2006). Vitamin E is an important antioxidant and stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that destroy germs and cancer cells and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. In the Harvard School of Public Health study 87,000 nurse’s participated in a study using Vitamin E supplementation, the study showed that it cut the risk of heart attacks by 50 percent. The recommended amount of Vitamin E per day is 100-400 milligrams per day, people who smoke, and consume high amounts of alcohol will need a higher dose. Beta carotene increases infection fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T- cells. It is also an antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging. Studies have shown that it can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease especially strokes and heart attacks. Bio flavenoids helps the body against environmental pollutants, and also reduces the cholesterol’s ability to form plaque in arteries. A diet containing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, at least six servings per day will help the immune system work in top form. Zinc helps white blood cells fight off infections; it also increases killer cells that fight against cancer. A word of warning, too much Zinc in the form of a supplement (more than 75 milligrams a day) can inhibit immune function (Sears, 2006). Rich sources of Zinc are oysters, cereals, crab, beef, turkey dark meat, and beans. Garlic is a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection fighting white cells and increases the efficiency of antibody production. Garlic contains sulfur, such as allicin and sulfides; garlic is an antioxidant that reduces the build-up of free radicals in the bloodstream. People who eat a great deal of garlic have a lower incidence of intestinal cancer. Selenium found in tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables, egg yolks increase killer cells and mobilizes cancer fighting cells. Omega-3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat bacteria. Selenium found in tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables, egg yolks increase killer cells and mobilizes cancer fighting cells. Omega-3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) in crease the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria. Echinacea is a Native American plant that is a natural infection fighter. It is a top selling herbal remedy and one of the oldest. Echinacea works indirectly killing the germs by strengthening our immune system. Echinacea has been used for many years to fight virus, such as the common cold and flu virus. The best research on Echinacea comes from Germany; they use double-blind placebo-controlled studies, the gold standard for scientific research on drugs. The study has shown that Echinacea users experienced less frequent virus infections (cold’s and flu’s) by one-third to one-half compared to the group that took dummy pills. Making healthy food choices is one of many changes that can help reduce a chance of a heart attack. Eating the right foods with less fat, sodium, cholesterol, fewer calories, and more fiber will help reduce chances of a heart attack. Making better food choices for y our health does not mean giving up our favorite foods. According to Barbra Schneeman PH. D, Director of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplement recommends using the food label to determine dietary trade-offs. The FDA requires nutrition information to appear on packaging for most prepared foods. An example of using a food label is when a person is concerned with their high blood pressure and wants to limit how much salt (sodium) they eat. By looking at the label they can compare which product has the least sodium. Here are some tips for healthy eating; choose lean meat and poultry, bake, broil, or grill all food. When you eat out at a restaurant ask for steamed, grilled or baked dishes. Choose foods and beverages low in sugar. Pick food that provides dietary fiber, like fruit, beans, vegetables, and whole grains. In conclusion, research has shown that eating certain foods will boost your immune system. To help reduce the chances of a heart attack, we should eat less fat, sodium, cholesterol, fewer calories, and more fiber. There are many fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants that prevent heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Many researchers believe that eating a calorie restricted diet will extend our life span. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Eating to Live Longer" essay for you Create order