Hope through History, Memory and Forgetting: The Joy of Remembering the Gospels for Our World Based on Vatican II

Abstract

This article focuses on the significance of Vatican II for contemporary Christian living, especially based on the person and message of Pope Francis. It assumes that Vatican Council II has brought about tremendous changes in the Church. Following the Council, the Church is perceived more as a servant and has become more open to the world. Still some questions linger on: How come did the Church, whose originary experiences were the Exodus the Resurrection, forget its basic message? How can we rediscover the Joy of the Gospel today? How do we reconcile the liberal and conservative elements of the Church in general and in their perception of Vatican II? With these questions in mind, we first recall Paul Ricoeur’s contribution to memory, forgiveness and healing and try to apply to the Catholic Church as an organisation. Then we reflect on some of the profound changes brought about the Council, based primarily on one historian of the Council, Robert Blair Kaiser. Then we go on to see how Vatican Council has made it emergence of a Jesuit Pope and his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) possible! Thus the article wants to relate theologically and historically Vatican II, the Jesuit charism, the present pope and his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium.