The Second Vatican Council or Vatican II, addressed relations between the Catholic Church and the modern world. Other Christians outside the Catholic Church attended as observers but did not cast votes in the approbation of the Council documents. The Council 1962 - 1965 was attended by the Bishop of Ballarat and these documents record some of the votes from the Council signed off by the Bishop. These documents were important in bringing about changes in modes of practice and liturgy in the Catholic Church in Australia and in its relations with other denominations and religions.Signed by J.P.O'Collins with annotations.vatican ii council,, john xxiii,

The Second Vatican Council or Vatican II, also termed the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican addressed relations between the Catholic Church and the modern world. The council, through the Holy See, was formally opened under the pontificate of Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and was closed under Pope Paul VI on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 1965. The Bishop of Ballarat participated in the Council and this silver medal is one of his mementoes of the historic council. Many changes within the Catholic church were instituted as well as in relations between the Catholic church and other religions.