“A
feature that most obviously distinguishes Vatican II from all previous councils
is the new style in which it formulates its enactments. Unlike previous
councils, Vatican II did not operate as a legislative and judicial body in the
traditional sense of those terms. It laid down certain principles but did not,
like previous councils, produce a body of ordinances prescribing or proscribing
modes of behavior, with penalties attached for nonobservance. It tried no
ecclesiastical criminals and issued no verdicts of guilty or not guilty. It
most characteristically employed a vocabulary new for councils, a vocabulary
filled with words implying collegiality, reciprocity, tolerance, friendship and
the search for common ground. Instead of ignoring this distinctive feature,
explanation and analysis of the documents’ literary form seem to be
indispensable for understanding the council.” — John W. O’Malley, S.J., “Misdirections: Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Mix Up the Teachings of Vatican II,” America,
Feb. 4, 2013
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