Vatican 2 Summary

An Introduction to Vatican II as an Ongoing Theological Event

Contemporary scholars often refer to “the event of Vatican II,” but what kind of an event was it? In this first book of the new CUA Press series Sacra Doctrina, Matthew Levering leads his readers to see the Council as a “theological event”—a period of confirming and continuing God’s self-revelation in Christ into a new historical era for the Church. This is an introduction to Vatican II with a detailed summary of each of its four central documents—the dogmatic constitutions—followed by explanations of how to interpret them. In contrast to other introductions, which pay little attention to the theological soil in which the documents of Vatican II germinated, Levering offers a reading of each conciliar Constitution in light of a key theological author from the era: René Latourelle, SJ for Dei Verbum (persons and propositions); Louis Bouyer, CO for Sacrosanctum Concilium (active participation); Yves Congar, OP for Lumen Gentium (true and false reform); and Henri de Lubac, SJ for Gaudium et Spes (nature and grace). This theological event is “ongoing,” Levering demonstrates, by tracing in each chapter the theological debates that have stretched from the close of the council till the present, and the difficulties the Church continues to encounter in encouraging an ever deeper participation in Jesus Christ on the part of all believers. In this light, the book’s final chapter compares the historicist (Massimo Faggioli) and Christological (Robert Imbelli) interpretations of Vatican II, arguing that historicism can undermine the Council’s fundamental desire for a reform and renewal rooted in Christ. The conclusion addresses the concerns about secularization and loss of faith raised after the Council by Henri de Lubac, Joseph Ratzinger, and Yves Congar, arguing that contemporary Vatican II scholarship needs to take these concerns more seriously.

A Layman's Guide to Vatican II

Wondering what to think about the doctrinal deviations of Vatican II? "The laity cannot remain silent in the face of the errors that threaten their Faith. While remaining in their place as laity, they must fight these errors and, at the same time, know well, profess, and defend the truths to which these errors are opposed."-Fr. Arnaud De Lassus The Layman's Guide to Vatican II is a summary of the need-to-know essentials from the Second Vatican Council. It offers a concise outline of events, an explanation of the Council origins and a breakdown of its key documents. Using accessible language, it proceeds with astounding clarity to define and explain each of the errors of Vatican II. Topics of interest for the curious Catholic:* History of Vatican II* Documents produced by Vatican II* What are Religious Liberty, Collegiality, and Ecumenism * Protestant-inspired shift from a God-focused Church to a man-focused Church * Departure of the Second Vatican Council from the traditional teachings of the ChurchThis brief, easy-to-read text is an aid for Catholics to better understand Vatican II and today's modern crisis. If you're looking for quick access to the facts, or simply trying to help others understand what really happened at the Second Vatican Council, this book is for you!

The Documents of Vatican II