Vatican II: Reliving the excitement of that historic moment

(Vatican Radio) Participants and observers said there was a real sense of excitement and that history was being made. That was the widespread feeling among those who took part or who closely followed the deliberations of the Second Vatican Council that opened on October 11^th, 1962 and produced 16 landmark documents during its sessions.

One of those who has vivid memories of that historic period was Patrick Kelly, now Archbishop of Liverpool. He was a post-graduate theology student in Rome when the Council began its work and was present in St. Peter’s for the opening session. He spoke to Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges.

Archbishop Kelly says the opening address to the Council by Pope John the XXIII with its upbeat message made a lasting impact on him: "That opening address by the Holy Father was something I've not heard before, there was a tone of optimism, a tone of clarity and a declaration that what wanted to be heard was good news... he (Pope John) didn't agree with the prophets of doom and gloom."

Another British churchmen who remembers clearly that historic time is Father Tony Convery who studied for the priesthood at the English College in Rome during the final stages of the Council. Like Archbishop Kelly, Father Convery recalls the excitement and euphoria of that time and says that they had the sense of seeing history being made. "You had the sense, he says, of being at the centre of a great institution that was in the process of fundamentally reviewing and changing its relationship to society and the world."

Listen to the extended interviews by Susy Hodges with Archbishop Patrick Kelly and Father Tony Convery that includes sound clips of the voice of Pope John XXIII making his opening address at the Council: