The Church in the 19th and 20th Centuries: Transformations and Responses

Posted on Aug 29, 2024 in Religion

Key Data of the Time

The new findings of the second half of the nineteenth century developed during the twentieth century. Transportation and communication established new relations between peoples and nations. New literary and pictorial movements emerged. It was the era with the highest number of people killed in wars. Weapons leveled entire cities, and millions of innocents were murdered in concentration camps. In Spain, past tensions resurfaced, leading to severe political and religious clashes.

The Church’s Response to Societal Transformations

Throughout the nineteenth century, the Church responded to societal transformations by falling back on itself. Theories such as those of Darwin and Marx, which placed reliance on personal and social life on the economic infrastructure, did not facilitate the Church’s approach to modern thought. The rise of nationalism during the first half of the nineteenth century promoted the struggle for Italian unity, leading to heavy fighting between the parties and the union until the Papacy achieved unification in 1870.

Key Figures in the Church

  • Pius IX: Controversial for his attitude in the process of Italian unification and his confrontation with liberalism.
  • Pope Leo XIII: Marked the beginning of a period of adaptation of the Church to the realities of civil society, where the labor movement had gained a remarkable boom in the entire developed world.

New Impetus to the Life of the Church

  • New Religious Congregations: Many founders promoted religious lifestyles adapted to new times, always with the intention to better serve the needy.
  • Expansion of Evangelization: A remarkable revival of the missions, driven by old religious orders.
  • Emergence of Christian Trade Unionism: Catholic Circles were born with four purposes: to spread Christian beliefs, promote the association of workers, give financial support to workers and cultural forms, and to organize recreational activities.

Challenges and Responses in the 20th Century

Europe suffered serious events: World War I, the Russian Revolution, the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange and its economic crisis, the emergence and rise of fascism, and World War II. These events hindered the Church’s necessary reflection on its mission.

Popes of the Time

  • Pius X: Renewed the liturgical life of the Church.
  • Benedict XV: Made constant appeals for peace amidst the war crisis.
  • Pius XI: Imposed the partition of the laity, encouraged missionary expansion, and led a scientific approach to the world.
  • Pius XII: Showed that the Church is able to incorporate philosophical thought and scientific progress.

Significant Changes in the Church

  • Liturgical Renewal: An important change factor in the life of the Church. The sacraments regained importance.
  • Participation of the Laity: A call to the laity to take responsibility, together with the bishops and priests, in the task of the Church in the world.
  • Approach to New Peoples and Nations: The Church separated from colonial policies and identified with the culture of the new nations.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)

John XXIII convoked the council with the intention of:

  • Updating and upgrading the life of the Church.
  • Finding ways to return to Christian unity.
  • Reviving the ministry in a world that had undergone major changes, including the two World Wars.

Characteristics of the Council

  • Universality and Magnitude: The council assembly was composed of 2,500 council fathers, the majority of whom came from continents and nations other than Europe.
  • Ecumenism: Many observers from other Christian denominations attended.
  • Connection to Society: The Council Fathers were convinced that the issues dealt with were linked to all mankind.
  • Impact on Society: Through the media, the issues discussed at the council reached the whole world.

Contributions to the Internal Life of the Church

  • Recognition of the Christian spirit in non-Catholic churches.
  • Recognition of the role of the laity in the life of the Church.
  • Liturgical reform in renewing all the celebrations.
  • Definition of the Church as “God’s people.”

Key Documents of the Council

The most important documents that came out of the council were: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes), the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium).

Art and Architecture in the Modern Era

Painting

Painting developed outside of religion. While the Church commissioned painters to decorate their temples, other bodies were more powerful and influential. Some painters focused on religion as the main theme of their works, while others were inspired by religion for specific works of religious content. The crucifixion of Jesus was a frequent theme.

Architecture

  • Le Corbusier: Advocated reducing buildings to the basic forms of the triangle and the cube.
  • Oscar Niemeyer: Designed the Cathedral of Brasilia, a circular monument of 40 meters.
  • Miguel Fisac: Adapted the Vatican II liturgical forms in a very personal style of curved walls.

Jesus and His Context

Jesus was Jewish and lived within Jewish culture and religion. The people around him and those he associated with were also Jewish. The same was true for the institutions and social groups. He held a respectful attitude towards them but saw the need to reform some customs. He did not criticize social groups unless their behavior demanded it.

Jesus’ Attitude Towards Sinners

Jesus’ attitude towards sinners was unparalleled at the time. He related to them, forgave their sins, and this was considered unique and scandalous.

Attitude Towards Authority

The common people admired Jesus because he taught with authority. His authority was not based on social status, the law of Moses, or the prophets. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states that what he says is more important than the law. He distanced himself from the temple and considered himself superior to it.

Jesus’ Relationship with God

Jesus addressed God as Abba, a familiar term for Father. While other religions compared God to a father, none addressed him in this way. Jesus shows us God as a father who deeply loves his children, welcomes them, and forgives them when they repent.