Trinity and Church in the Light of Vatican II's Constitution Lumen Gentium

  • Leon Siwecki The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Faculty of Theology
Keywords: Trinity; Father; Son; Holy Spirit; Church; ecclesiology; Lumen Gentium

Abstract

The whole itinerary of the Vatican II's dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium on the Church is permeated with a trinitarian outlook. The Church has her origin in the Father's eternal plan of salvation. She not only is the result of his paternal love but also finds in the beatific communion with the Father her destiny and goal (LG 2). The universal project of Father's salvation is realized by the Son who enjoys unconditional primacy within that plan (LG 3). Originating in the mystery of Father's eternal plan of love and born of the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, the Church cannot live without the life given to her by the mission of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Church, whose origin is in the Father's love which comes into effect through the paschal mystery of the Son, is vivified and renewed by the Spirit (LG 4). The Church is thus the work of the Trinity. This is the fundamental understanding of the Church in Lumen Gentium. The Church of Vatican II is the “Ecclesia de Trinitate”. The Church is “a people made one with the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.

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Published
2019-12-05
Section
Articles