Cardinal Arinze sees Vatican II as marked by optimism, not confusion

October 22, 2012

Cardinal Francis Arinze, who was the world’s youngest Catholic bishop during the closing session of Vatican II, is now the youngest of the Council fathers who met with Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Council.

Speaking to Vatican Insider about his experiences, the Nigerian cardinal—who is now retired, having served most recently as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship—said that the Council’s work was marked by optimism:

Do you want the Church to be pessimistic about human nature, about cultures, about the calling, the vocation of the human person? Shouldn’t the Church be optimistic about these? The Gospel is actually optimistic, it’s Good News.

 

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Further information:

• “The Church at Vatican II showed joy, optimism and was not afraid” (Vatican Insider)