Forty years after its close, the Second Vatican Council continues to be a relevant, fruitful and controversial force, not only within the Catholic Church, but beyond its boundaries. The Council was the brain-child of ‘Good Pope John’, as the press of the time dubbed the much-loved, rotund but far-sighted and deeply spiritual figure of Pope John XXIII.
In this new book, Tony Castle provides an engaging biographical sketch of the elderly church diplomat and dedicated pastor who found himself Pope. This sets the scene for Pope John’s surprise decision to call an ecumenical council, charts the obstacles he faced in making it happen and outlines the progress of the Council itself.
The seeds of the Council’s continuing impact and fruitful possibilities are to be found in the Council documents which form an important treasury of the Church’s understanding, theology and spirituality. The author here provides a useful summary and insightful commentary on each of the Documents, reviewing them in the light of 21st century needs.
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