Doctrinal Perspectives On The Church In The Modern World

Abstract

Abstract The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes) is divided into two parts. Preceded by a preface and a brief introduction, part I primarily lays out doctrinal principles, but not without suggesting pastoral applications. Part II has mainly a pastoral orientation but on the firm ground of doctrinal principles; therefore, it has both contingent and permanent elements. Gaudium et spes is a constitution and stands as one of the four pillars of the council, along with Lumen gentium, Dei verbum, and Sacrosanctum concilium, respectively the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the Dogmatic Constitution on Revelation, and the Constitution on the Liturgy, which is also a doctrinal document but without ‘‘dogmatic’’ in the title. Gaudium et spes develops the council’s doctrine on the nature of the Church and must be understood in the light of Lumen gentium and not vice versa. The title of the constitution mentions ‘‘the Church in the world of this time’’ so as not to give the impression that the Church stands over against the world but, like every other institution, is just a presence in the world of today.