WASHINGTON — The Second Vatican Council continues to have an
enduring impact on the Catholic Church and on the papacy of Pope Francis,
according to the Vatican's top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
That gathering of bishops from around the world presented a new
paradigm of a "world church — a church with a global dimension," said
the cardinal, who is the Vatican's secretary of state.
During a mid-November visit to the United States that included
celebrating a Mass in Baltimore to mark the centenary of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Parolin stopped in Washington to deliver an address
at The Catholic University of America.
He spoke on the topic "The Council: A Prophecy That
Continues With Pope Francis." Afterward, he received a received an
honorary doctorate in theology from the university.
In his Nov. 14 talk, he said that although Vatican II occurred
more than 50 years ago (1962-65), "it certainly retains for the church a
prophetic character."
Cardinal Parolin said the main consequences of the council included
the introduction of local languages in the liturgy, and a "new awareness
of a church that is historically realized in more diverse cultural
contexts."
Noting themes that have been stressed by Pope Francis, the
cardinal said Vatican II sowed seeds of synodality and paved the way for
"a church that lives in a conciliar way" with collaborative and
consultative efforts underway at every level of the church. "No more
parishes or dioceses without pastoral councils, no more countries without
episcopal conferences," he said.
That process, he added, has proven to be irreversible. "In
the end, is this not the most beautiful inheritance that the council could have
prepared for us?" he asked.
Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, Catholic University's
chancellor, offered an invocation and then introduced Cardinal Parolin. He
noted the prelate is known as an expert in Mideast affairs who was responsible
for efforts bringing Israelis and Palestinians together for peace talks. In
Asia, Cardinal Parolin was instrumental
in efforts to build up ties between the Vatican and Vietnam, Cardinal Wuerl
said.
"In this whole process, Cardinal Parolin has always been
able to put the face of the church and the face of Christ's love into
diplomatic action," Cardinal Wuerl said.
Cardinal Parolin spoke to the Catholic University audience in
Italian, while a translation in English appeared on video screens via closed
captioning. Guests included Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to
the United States.
John Garvey, president of Catholic University, conferred the
honorary doctorate on the cardinal, who said he was thankful for receiving the
honor "from such a faithful and prestigious university." He also was
thankful for being invited to speak at the university, which he said "is
dedicated to the formation of hearts and minds."