Undoubtedly, the Second Vatican Council still remains the most significant Church event in modern times, not just for Catholics, but for all people of good will. In the entire history of the Church, there have only been twenty other such ecumenical councils.
After weeks of political rhetoric, ideological stand-offs and blame-throwing, the US government went into a partial shutdown on October 1, 2013, the first time in 17 years. Neither side of the political aisle was able to reach out to the other on the budget.
In 313 A.D, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, legitimizing Christianity and ordering the restitution of property confiscated from Christians. Yet, long before that historic day, the Church experienced remarkable growth. The times certainly did not favor such expansion. Christians were stigmatized, persecuted and martyred.