Second Vatican Council: Meaning and Definition of

Sec'ond Vat'ican Coun'cil

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. 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
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.