Changes

The [[Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican]] (commonly called [[Vatican II]]), which was in session from 1962 to 1965, made major changes to official Catholic theology and liturgy. Liturgical changes included the introduction of the possibility of having Mass in local languages instead of entirely in Latin. Theologically, the council continued the importance of [[Mary]] while also adding a new emphasis on individual and personal holiness. Most controversially, the council opened the possibility of salvation for Jews, Muslims and Protestants.

The [[Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican]] (commonly called [[Vatican II]]), which was in session from 1962 to 1965, made major changes to official Catholic theology and liturgy. Liturgical changes included the introduction of the possibility of having Mass in local languages instead of entirely in Latin. Theologically, the council continued the importance of [[Mary]] while also adding a new emphasis on individual and personal holiness. Most controversially, the council opened the possibility of salvation for Jews, Muslims and Protestants.

Reactions among Catholics to Vatican II fall into roughly three camps. "Liberal" Catholics see Vatican II and the new period that it marked in Catholic history as forming a decisive break with the past, and as justifying major changes in Catholic belief and practice. "Conservative" Catholics (including the recent popes) hold that the decrees of the Council, properly understood, are wholly in line with the historic Catholic faith, and that they should not be used as an excuse for unwarranted innovations. "Traditional" (or "traditionalist") Catholics regard the teachings of Vatican II as problematic, or even as heretical.

Reactions among Catholics to Vatican II fall into roughly three camps. "Liberal" Catholics, drawing on the established Catholic belief in the "journeying" nature of the Church, see Vatican II and the new period that it marked in Catholic history as representing a significant advancement in our understanding of the divine revelation contained in the gospels which justifies major changes in Catholic belief and practice. "Conservative" Catholics (including the recent popes) hold that the decrees of the Council, properly understood, are wholly in line with the historic Catholic faith, and that they should not be used as an excuse for unwarranted innovations. "Traditional" (or "traditionalist") Catholics regard the teachings of Vatican II as problematic, or even as heretical.

==Sacraments==

==Sacraments==