Dogmatic and Pastoral Coherence of the Second Vatican Council. A Contribution to the Hermeneutics of Its Texts and Message

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to present a synthetic approach to the unity of the theological message of the last of the ecumenical councils, Vatican II. The research perspective is strictly theological, and considering the texts themselves, it sets aside their history. The author’s ambition is to propose a coherent interpretation of the three definitions presented by the Council Fathers: liturgy, Church, and revelation. It appears that there is a far-reaching ideological coherence between them. This article proposes finding this common theological foundation in the concept of divine, Trinitarian self-giving in the world. This is what enables a more vibrant exchange between theology and the pastoral life of the Church. These quasi-definitions are the starting point and the theological foundation for most of the Council’s proposals, including the mutual opening of doctrine and pastoral care and a broader dialogue with the world. In this way, the article also presents a significant fragment of the Council’s hermeneutics, the aim of which is to seek the unity and coherence of the texts as they were promulgated.