Spirit of Vatican II.

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I was looking at some websites of the parishes in my area, and I ran across this:
In keeping with the spirit of Vatican II, major roles in the administration of (parish name withheld) are shared with members of the laity. Lay persons serve in full time positions such as: Administrative Assistant, Director of Music, Pastoral Associate, Director of Religious Education, and Youth Minister. The Staff, Finance Committee, and the Pastoral Council advise the Pastor in major areas of policy and planning.
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I mean this as a genuine question: what is meant by “in keeping with the spirit of Vatican II?” Where can I read about “the spirit of Vatican II?” I ask because it seems pretty vague to me and I’m hoping for clarification.

Thanks.
 
Rather than using the “spirit” of Vatican II, the parishes should be quoting and using what the authoritative documents of the Council have to say:

From the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy:
  1. It is desirable that the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Art. 22, 2, set up a liturgical commission, to be assisted by experts in liturgical science, sacred music, art and pastoral practice. So far as possible the commission should be aided by some kind of Institute for Pastoral Liturgy, consisting of persons who are eminent in these matters, and including laymen as circumstances suggest. Under the direction of the above-mentioned territorial ecclesiastical authority the commission is to regulate pastoral-liturgical action throughout the territory, and to promote studies and necessary experiments whenever there is question of adaptations to be proposed to the Apostolic See.
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  1. For the same reason every diocese is to have a commission on the Sacred Liturgy under the direction of the bishop, for promoting the liturgical apostolate.
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While this speaks to diocesan commissions, there are provisions for parochial ones as well. As for parish and finance councils, these have their basis in canon law.
 
damooster said:
I mean this as a genuine question: what is meant by “in keeping with the spirit of Vatican II?” Where can I read about “the spirit of Vatican II?” I ask because it seems pretty vague to me and I’m hoping for clarification.
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You’re right, it’s very vague. Because of that vagueness, a person’s understanding of it can range from greater laity participation in the parish administration, apostolates, and ministries, all the way to the much-bemoaned, rarely-seen “Clown Mass”.

Benedictgal, however has a good understanding, that the “spirit” of Vatican II must be in line with the actual documents produced by the council.

I don’t see anything wrong with the bulletin blurb you gave us.
So…your Director of Music is a full-time position?? 🤷
 
It sure did separate the wheat from the chaff didn’t it… That’s the spirit of it.
 
benedictgal said:
Rather than using the “spirit” of Vatican II, the parishes should be quoting and using what the authoritative documents of the Council have to say:

While this speaks to diocesan commissions, there are provisions for parochial ones as well. As for parish and finance councils, these have their basis in canon law.
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That was what I was thinking. I would like to add that this is really nothing new on a parish level. A pastor can dictate or delegate with or without advice on most issues.
 
damooster said:
I was looking at some websites of the parishes in my area, and I ran across this:

I mean this as a genuine question: what is meant by “in keeping with the spirit of Vatican II?” Where can I read about “the spirit of Vatican II?” I ask because it seems pretty vague to me and I’m hoping for clarification.

Thanks.
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The only way you could know what is meant by that is to ask the people who wrote it.
 
Groups have a tendency to use code words. One of the code words of the more liberal end of the spectrum of those who call themselves Catholic is the “spirit of Vatican 2” or the “Spirit of Vatican 2”.

That has been a code word for a whole lot of mischief, almost all of which has little or nothing to do with the actual documents of Vatican 2, but is rather an attempt by a significant segment to revise the Church into their own image and likeness.

As such, there can be a great deal of confusion when someone uses the words with no malicious intent; they simply mean that following the directions (most of which were in pretty broad strokes) of Vatican 2, something should be done. Since Vatican 2, we have had diocesan and parish level committes to assist in various matters. That is following the directions of Vatican 2, and certainly would be “true in spirit” to the intent of the documents. As another poster said, when someone uses the term “spirit” connected to Vatican 2, you may have to ask a few questions to determine if the use of the word is innocent or malicious.
 
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