Keynoter to focus on Second Vatican Council

At the Parish Convening at LaSalle Institute in Troy on Oct. 28, Timothy Mullner, the keynote speaker, plans to talk about the past and the future.

His talk -- "Celebrating 40 Years of Vatican II: The Greatest Story Never Told!" -- will offer a look back to the Council and a looking forward to its ongoing renewal.

Historically, he said, changes made by any council have taken 60 to 100 years to implement because the Church moves very slowly.

"Many Catholics have been grieving [what they perceive to be] losses instituted by Vatican II and have been doing so for the past 40 years," he said. "But, according to Pope John Paul II, the council was the greatest religious event of the 20th century. Our current Pope, Benedict XVI, views the council as the compass for our future as Church.

"If Vatican II was the compass, what is the direction in which we want to be heading? Where are we going now?"

Mr. Mullner's talk will include what he believes are two of the most important pathways for Catholics: Church tradition and "aggiornamento," the updating of Church teachings and practice.

"Our tradition is a living thing," he explained. "It is the way we hand down the teachings of Jesus Christ. It sustains us, and keeps alive our beliefs and rituals. Our traditions nurture us.

"We must, however, face the fact that the Church is no longer the Church we knew years ago. Because we are a living entity, we are changing."

Mr. Mullner plans to juxtapose the Second Vatican Council with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's recent initiative for the Albany Diocese, "Called To Be Church."

Mr. Mullner will also present a workshop, "Collaboration: Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto." He plans to explore collaboration in ministry as something people work to achieve.

(10/5/06)