A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
in authority and that the church hierarchy is the only correct
interpreter of Scripture. Thus it proclaimed: 257
It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred
Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in
accord with God’s most wise design, are so linked and
joined together that one cannot stand without the others,
and that all together and each in its own way
under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute
effectively to the salvation of souls.
Nevertheless, the council decided to incorporate more
Scripture readings and quotations in the liturgy, placing
them in the language of the people. It also encouraged
laymen to read and study the Bible.
This attitude contrasted sharply with the traditional
Roman Catholic position. Under the old view, laymen
were not capable of understanding the Bible properly; it
could be confusing and even dangerous for them. Thus
they were to leave the study of Scripture to the priests
and theologians. The church would interpret the Bible
authoritatively for them and tell them what they needed to
know. Indeed, in 1229 the laity were forbidden to read the
Bible.
5. Modernization and reform of liturgy and canon
law. Vatican II changed many practices that had been
standard for four hundred years. The primary purpose
was pastoral, that is, to become more relevant to modern
people and to meet their needs more effectively. For
instance, the council decided that priests should recite
the mass in the vernacular—the common language of the
people—instead of Latin. Now the people could under-
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