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Second Vatican Ecumenical Council Concilium Oecumenicum Vaticanum Secundum (Latin) | |
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![]() Saint Peter's Basilica Venue of the Second Vatican Council | |
Date | 11 October 1962 | – 8 December 1965
Accepted by | Catholic Church |
Previous council | First Vatican Council |
Convoked by | Pope John XXIII |
President | Pope John XXIII Pope Paul VI |
Attendance | up to 2,625[1] |
Topics | The Church in itself, its sole salvific role as the one, true and complete Christian faith, also in relation to ecumenism among other religions, in relation to the modern world, renewal of consecrated life, liturgical disciplines, etc. |
Documents and statements | Four Constitutions:
Three Declarations:
Nine Decrees:
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Chronological list of ecumenical councils |
Apostolicam Actuositatem (Apostolic Activity), also known as the "Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity", is one of the 16 magisterial documents of the Second Vatican Council.
The final text was approved on 10 November, 1965 by a vote of 2,201 to 2. On 18 November, 1965, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI, after another vote, this time of 2,340 to 2.[2]
The purpose of the document was to encourage and guide lay Catholics in their Christian service. In this decree the Council sought to describe the nature, character, and diversity of the lay apostolate, to state its basic principles, and to give pastoral directives for its more effective exercise. The specific objectives of lay ministry are: evangelization and sanctification, renewal of the temporal order whereby Christ is first in all things,[clarification needed] and charitable works and social aid.[3] The decree quotes Colossians 3:17: "Whatever you do in word or work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him".