Vatican II The Essential Texts

By encouraging engagement with the modern world and a refocusing of traditional teaching, the Second Vatican Council brought new life into the practice of Catholicism. The council's impact on the Church is still playing out today, and with many current church issues finding their roots in differing interpretations of Vatican II it has never lost relevance. Vatican II: The Essential Textsbrings together the key documents of the council. As the council is commemorated on its 50th Anniversary, readers will be returning to these source materials to understand the Church's developing positions on its relationship with the secular world and other religions, the role of lay people, human rights and the common good, the liturgy and other still highly relevant issues. In addition to the introductions from Pope Benedict and James Carroll, the documents will also be accompanied by brief historical prefaces from Professor Edward Hahnenberg.

JAMES CARROLL is the National Book Award-winning author of Practicing Catholic and An American Requiem. He writes widely on Catholic issues and is passionate about the legacy of Vatican II.

EDWARD HAHNENBERG is professor of theology at Xavier University and the author of A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II.

NORMAN TANNER, SJ, is professor of church history at the Gregorian University in Rome.