Sign of the times (Catholic Church)

Signs of the times is a phrase strongly associated with the

(1963). It came to signify a new understanding that the Church needed to attend more closely to the world if it was to remain faithful to its calling, and marked a significant shift in theological method. The phrase "sign of the times" was used four times in the Vatican II documents:

• Unitatis redintegratio §4
• Dignitatis humanae §15
• Presbyterorum ordinis
  §9 (including invitation to cooperate with laity in recognizing the signs of the times)
• Gaudium et spes §4

The phrase has continued to be used in

since then.

See also

• Humanae vitae

References