Dictionary
Sec'ond Vat'ican Coun'cil
the twenty-first Roman Catholic ecumenical council (1962–65) convened by Pope John XXIII. Its 16 documents redefined the nature of the church, gave bishops greater influence in church affairs, and increased lay participation in liturgy. Also called
Vatican II. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.