Church Document
Lumen Gentium
Document of the Second Vatican Council (1964)
The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church promulgated by the Second Vatican Council. Defines the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ, the People of God, and a sacrament of salvation. Treats the hierarchy, the laity, the universal call to holiness, religious life, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church.
Key themes
The mystery of the Church
The People of God
The hierarchical structure of the Church
The laity
The universal call to holiness
Religious life
The pilgrim Church
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Document type
Council document
Issuing authority
Pope Paul VI / Second Vatican Council
Issued date
21 November 1964