Pope says Vatican II reminded church to be like Mary

Published: 2005-12-08

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict XVI said the council reminded the church to be like Mary: obedient, prayerful and courageous in times of trouble. Marking the anniversary on the Dec. 8 feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception, Pope Benedict also said the traces of original sin are seen in the common assumption that being holy is boring and that sinning occasionally is what makes one human. In his homily, the pope -- who served as a theological expert at the council -- said he remembers the moment when Pope Paul VI declared Mary "Mother of the Church." He said, "Spontaneously the (council) fathers sprang to their feet and stood applauding, paying homage to the Mother of God, our mother, the mother of the church."

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