Q. 1. When a reference is made to the Pre-Vatican era, what does that mean?

A. 1. First of all, it should be noted that when a reference is made to the Pre-Vatican era, it is a reference to Vatican II, not Vatican I.

The Second Vatican Council began in 1962 and officially ended in 1965. For many Catholics, Church history is defined by this event, regardless of their political or liturgical orientation.

The Conservatives/Traditionists usually refer to the pre-Vatican II era, from the days of Christ to 1962 A.D.

The Liberals/Modernists usually refer to everything that came after the end of Vatican II in 1965 A.D..

One of the main reasons why a reference is made to the pre-Vatican II era is because the Church of those days cannot be compared to the Church of today. Examples:

• The Traditional Latin Mass versus the Mass according to the language of the country.

• The priest facing the Altar/wall during Holy Mass versus the priest facing the congregation.

• Communion on the tongue while kneeling versus communion in the hands while standing.

• The revision of the Eucharistic prayers.

• The abbreviation of the liturgical calendar.

• Changes encompassing contemporary Catholic liturgical music and artwork.

• The rewritting of the Catechism.

• The rewritting of the Canon Law.

• and the list goes on...

Today's Church is so different than the Catholic Church of the Pre-Vatican II era that it can be said it is a totally different Church. Some claim the Catholic Church has been protestanized with justifiable reasons.

Many of the changes that took place since Vatican II were never approved by the Vatican. They were implemented by small liberal groups, their practices spreading like firewire throughout the world. Basically the Vatican lost control, many priests moving forward according to their own whims. The Catholic Church now has an abundance of heretics.