What emphasis was placed on the laity during the Second Vatican Council?

The emphasis placed on the laity during the Second Vatican Council was that they have a significant role in the Church's mission. This perspective marked a pivotal shift in how the Church viewed the involvement of lay people. The Council promoted the idea that all members of the Church, including the laity, are called to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church.

In documents such as "Lumen Gentium," the Council articulated that the laity are vital in the Church's engagement with the world, contributing to its evangelical mission. They are encouraged to live out their faith in their daily lives, fostering a more vibrant and active presence of the Church in various secular realms. This recognition of the laity's role helps to empower individuals, acknowledging that they can influence change and serve effectively both within the Church and in broader society.

This approach directly contrasts with notions of passivity or unquestioning obedience, which would conflict with the more collaborative and participatory vision fostered by the Council.