Blessed John XXIII (1881-1963), Pope
Address for the opening of the Second Vatican Council
Discerning the signs of the times: an important theme of the Second Vatican Council
In
the daily exercise of our apostolic ministry, we are often offended
when we learn what certain people are saying, who are filled with
religious zeal yet lack correct judgment and level-headedness in their
way of seeing things. They see only ruins and calamities in society's
present situation. They are used to saying that our day and age has
worsened profoundly in comparison with past centuries. They behave as if
history, which is the teacher of life, had nothing to teach them and as
if at the time of past Councils, everything had been perfect where
Christian doctrine, customs and the Church's just freedom were
concerned.
It seems to us that we must state our complete
disagreement with the prophets of misfortune, who always announce
catastrophes as if the world were close to its end.
In the
present course of events when society seems to be at a turning point, it
is better to acknowledge the mysterious plans of divine Providence
which, through the succession of times and the work of human beings and
most of the time against all expectations, reach their goal and arrange
everything with wisdom for the good of the Church, even the events that
are in opposition to it.
- Blessed Pope John XXIII
