Vatican II

The Second Vatican Council spanned from 1962-1965. Throughout the council, the Church released numerous documents applying and clarifying Catholic doctrine in light of modern developments and needs. Vatican II empowered the laity to take a more active role in the Church. For example, one conciliar document states, “Since the laity, in accordance with their state of life, live in the midst of the world and its concerns, they are called by God to exercise their apostolate in the world like leaven, with the ardor of the spirit of Christ” (Apostolicam Actuositatem p. 2). Additionally, the Council prioritized ecumenical cooperation (Unitatis Redintegratio). Commission of the laity and greater cooperation with the greater Christian community outside of the Catholic Church provided further fuel for Catholics to engage in the fight for Civil Rights.