We have reached the purpose statement of lumen gentium. Article 9 is a very important text in chapter ii because it defines the people of god as all of the baptized in the christian faith. The importance of lumen gentium 16 published in the fall 2011 edition of the fellowship of catholic scholars quarterly ralph martin blessed john paul iis repeated calls for a. Each of the baptized share in a unity that is, the people of god. However, you will see that most of lumen gentium contains basic language and many references to sacred scripture. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by pope paul vi on 21 november 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. Appendix vi summary and analysis of chapter vill of lumen gentium ch. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5 and promulgated by pope paul vi on november 24, 1964. Lumen gentium, chapter 4 the laity, article 31 the term laity is here understood to mean all the faithful except those in holy orders and those in the state of religious life specially approved by the church. From the fundamental contents of the lumen gentium of the second. The major marian teaching of vatican ii, lumen gentium, chapter 8 does not stand alone. One thing to keep in mind when studying church documents such as this, is that the church, with its 2000 year history, tends to move slowly.
The name means light of the world in latin and is from the first line of the document, as is customary with cathoic church documents. For many religious, the ideas contained in the lumen gentium doctrine caused a significant identity crisis as they were required to reevaluate their place and role in the church and in relation to the laity as their identity in the prevatican ii. Oct 1958 john 23rd elected popejan 1959 john 23 summoned council1960 john 23rd1961 died june 3rd 1963oct dec opening of the council paul 6th became1962 pope june 23rd 1963oct dec second session1963oct dec third session1964oct dec fourth session1965. Because this is so, this sacred synod gathered together in the holy spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the gospel to every creature,1 to bring. Lumen gentium, the dogmatic constitution on the church, is one of the principal documents of the second vatican council. Lumen gentium 8 dogmatic constitution on the church november 21, 1964. Dogmatic constitution on the churchlumengentiumchrist is the light of all humanity. Since the church is in christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with god and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more fully to the faithful of the church and to the whole world its own inner nature and universal mission. Summary and analysis of chapter viii of lumen gentium. One of the principal documents of the second vatican council, lumen gentium is the dogmatic constitution of the church. It has to be studied in terms of the counciliar action and documents that preceded and followed it.
Many scholars believe that, out of all the documents produced by the council, lumen gentium light for the nations is likely one of the most important. For the first time in the life of the church, the leadership has put in writing a description of the inner nature and universal mission of the church, and did so without adding any additional teachings. Christ is the light of the nations begins the opening lines of what has been called the centerpiece of all documents of the catholic churchs second vatican council. What is the purpose of lumen gentium, and how can it help us. As is customary with significant roman catholic church documents, it is known by its incipit, lumen gentium, latin for.