Sixty years after Vatican II

In October 1962, Otto von Habsburg attended the opening ceremony of the Second Vatican Council at the personal invitation of Pope John XXIII. He was even granted the opportunity to share his thoughts on the social issues of the time with a small group of influential clergy members. This event of outstanding significance in the life of the Church concluded sixty years ago, on 8 December 1965. To mark this anniversary, we have invited experts to reflect on both historical questions and the enduring legacy of Vatican II, which continues to shape our lives.
Otto spoke with appreciation for the Church’s teachings on social matters, its relationship with the world, and the Council documents on ecumenism. The former Crown Prince was committed to promoting a deeper understanding of the decisions of the Second Vatican Council and their practical implementation, and believed that the event would have a profoundly positive impact on the entire Christian community. On the anniversary of his passing, we reflect on the spiritual and intellectual heritage of the council that ended sixty years ago, considering the points mentioned above.

Programme

9:00–9:50 | Registration

10:00–11:00 | Holy Mass in the Basilica in memory of Otto von Habsburg

11:00–11:30 | Coffee break

11:30–13:00 | Welcoming address: Cirill T. Hortobágyi OSB, Archabbot, Pannonhalma Archabbey

Opening: Gergely Prőhle, Director, Otto von Habsburg Foundation

Keynote speech: András Fejérdy, Deputy Director, Institute of History, HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities

12:15–13:15 | Short presentations and discussion

Márk Aurél Érszegi, Vatican expert

Ottó Pecsuk, Reformed pastor, university lecturer, Secretary General, Hungarian Bible Society Foundation

Károly Hafenscher, professor, Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University

Moderator: Gergely Fejérdy, Deputy Scientific Director, Otto von Habsburg Foundation

The conference will be held in Hungarian.