VATICAN CITY (CNS): People who believe the Second Vatican Council marked a break with the Catholic Church’s past cannot correctly interpret its teaching, Pope John Paul II said.
The “genuine intention” of the members of the council must be rediscovered, “overcoming prejudiced or partial interpretations which have prevented the best expression of the newness of the council’s teaching”, the Pope said.
Although Vatican II ended 35 years ago, he said, the Catholic Church has yet to implement it fully or realise all of its potential. The Pope rejected the idea that the Catholic Church needs a new council to re-organise its structure and its mission to respond to modern needs and concerns.
He said he and other bishops faced the challenge of explaining the nature of the Church and its relationship to the world at a time of rapid social and technological changes.
