Evolution of the Catholic Church: From Pentecost to Today
Contributions to the Life of the Church
The Second Vatican Council made significant contributions and represented a profound change in the internal life of the Church:
- The recognition of the Christian spirit in non-Catholic churches.
- Recognition of the role of the laity in the life of the Church.
- The liturgical reform, renewing all the celebrations.
- The definition of the Church as “People of God.”
The council produced, among others, four major documents:
- The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium.
- The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in Today’s World, Gaudium et Spes.
- The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum.
- The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium.
The Beginnings: The Renewal of Jewish Customs
The Church manifests itself at Pentecost around twelve. This happens in Jerusalem, but soon communities emerge elsewhere in Palestine. All of them are united by faith in Jesus. These followers of Jesus, in principle, remain faithful to Jewish practices, but soon begin to renew some customs. They believe that Jesus’ followers, who include many non-Jews, do not have to submit to Jewish laws, such as circumcision, and that what saves is not the law but faith in Jesus.
The Early Centuries: Relationship with the Roman Empire
Christians are spreading throughout the Roman Empire. Many of the customs prevailing in that society come into conflict with Christian morals. The impenetrable Roman entanglement with new changes refused to intervene in public affairs, to do military service, and especially to worship the emperor. However, this is not an indiscriminate opposition, but many elements of pagan culture are assimilated by Christianity.
Middle Ages: Church and Empire
The situation changes dramatically during the fourth century; it goes from being a persecuted religion to being the state religion. This entails, among other things, that the bishops become qualified officials of the state and that the Pope’s scope of imperial rank. When the Roman Empire falls, the Church assumes its function. This situation continues with Charlemagne and other emperors who consider themselves leaders of Christianity. During the eleventh century, a stream starts, led by Pope Gregory VII, who claimed, and got, to change this order. Its objectives were to achieve dominance of the Pope over the Emperor and to abolish simony and lay investiture, and he got them. The image offered by the Church during this long period is a church rule, but it is a spiritual and Christian empire.
A Community of Mystics
Parallel to the image of the Church as an Empire, a much more spiritual and evangelical current develops, led by the monks and then the mendicant orders. Monasticism drives a mystical view of God’s presence in the soul and downplays the temporal aspects of the Church. Francis kept alive the ideal of a poor church and contrasts the image of Christ the King and Judge of the poor Christ, crucified and a servant.
Renaissance Church: Guardian of the Truth
The emergence of modern states entails the rupture of unity; it disappears and the identification of the Church and the Empire. Since the late Middle Ages, there had been calls for a reform of the Church. Luther carried it out by creating the image that could be defined as the Church of the Word, the congregation of believers who hear the word of God and accept it with faith. The counter-reformation by the Council of Trent presents the Church as the guardian and teacher of truth. We insist on the visibility of the Church, embodied in the seven sacraments and especially in the authority of its visible head, the Pope of Rome.
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries: Hierarchical Church
Disputes and wars of religion end up exhausting the West. Peace is sought at all costs, and the need arises for a community in which respect and tolerance are its identity. The Church is conceived as a partnership, but a highly hierarchical society in which the clerical establishment is the main protagonist. The laity are relegated to merely abiding by the rules imposed. During these two centuries, the Church was always on the defensive. However, in the late nineteenth century, the most committed Christian circles beat a longing for renewal.
Twentieth Century: The New Face of the Church
It seems as if the great misfortunes of mankind, which occurred in the first half of the twentieth century (two world wars), had made a new way of conceiving the Church flower. After the First World War, the population arises in a deep inner desire and religious authenticity. Popular liturgy flourishes, the ecumenical movement is born, and the laity discover their ecclesial responsibility. The theme of the Church and passionate concern to all. There is a rediscovery of the Church as a mystery: the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. World War II caused a revolution of conscience. In the humiliated dignity of humans, defense is necessary. Many Christians understand that the Church has a strong accountability in this field. Movements are popping up everywhere, ready to renew the image of the Church. That is when it is shown as the sacrament of salvation.
Internal Reforms of the Church After the Council
Once the council was over, Paul VI developed a series of guidelines to apply all this renewal to the life of the Church:
- Instituted the Synod of Bishops and given much more autonomy to the Episcopal Conferences of each country. The more decentralized the Church’s life.
- Enacted and developed the liturgical reform. The rites of all the sacraments were reformed, making them closer to the experience of people. Latin ceased to be the official language of the celebrations.
- Encouraged social and political engagement of Christians with his encyclical Populorum Progressio, laying the foundations of the new Social Doctrine of the Church.
- In the life of parishes, called for greater participation of the faithful. In this sense, strengthening the “younger churches,” especially those in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
- Promoted a lot of lay participation in the life of the Church in all areas, including in the area of the celebrations, which established the diaconate for married persons.