Theological Highlights of Vatican II

If you're unable to read the documents of Vatican II, this is the next best thing. However, it only provides main issues of the 4 sessions, i.e., highlights, not details.

This is a fascinating account of the internal goings on of the Second Vatican Council. Highly recommend for anyone interested in studying the Council on a level deeper than just the documents.

Sets up the strengths and weaknesses in the internal affairs of the Council, helps reconcile the Ratzinger of the ‘60s with the Ratzinger of Pope Benedict XVI. Balanced and realistic.

As someone who has read a number of works by Joseph Ratzinger, I must admit that this one is uniquely significant. Media sound bytes and commentaries from those who are displeased with Pope Benedict XVI often unfairly characterize him as someone who is opposed to the Second Vatican Council. Such critics seem to imply that Pope Benedict would like to remold the Church into it's Pre-Conciliar form. In this book, however, we see a valuable glimpse into the thought of Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, as a theological expert who attended and contributed to the Second Vatican Council. We see his frank analysis of the problems facing the Church prior to Vatican II and the excitement of the bishops of the world who assumed their role as pastors to improve the life of the Church. Ratzinger broadly chronicles and comments on the events of each session of the Ecumenical Council, offering his own insight into the significance of each development. Someone who has accepted the charicatures of Ratzinger that are so common would be surprised at his own unambiguous support of the Council reforms.It would be a mistake, however, to conclude that Ratzinger's theological opinions have changed dramatically since these early reflections. Already in the text of these theological highlights, we see his caution about potential misunderstandings regarding Council buzzwords like "Pastoral," "Ecumenical," etc. In this earlier work, these prophetic cautions are overshadowed by his excitement at the renewal awaiting the Church at the time of the Council; in his later works, like  Ratzinger Report , we see the same theologian's reflection on the fact that some of the potential misunderstandings of the work of the Council had in fact become the dominant understanding in many circles. While there is perfect continuity in his thought, the situation of the Church had changed dramatically.In summary, this is a very significant work for anyone who wants an authentic glimpse into the thought of Pope Benedict XVI.

The young Ratzinger is refreshingly optimistic about the reforms of the council. The best thing about the book is it dashes two erroneous misconceptions popular in the church these days:1) that Benedict XVI was/is somehow anti Vatican IIHe clearly saw himself on the side of the reformers and not the conservative minority.2) that everything was great before the council and the reforms lead to decrease in church attendance and loss of faith.The Church needed reform because it was already facing difficulty, especially in regards to the lack of engagement of the faithful with the liturgy.The book is as informative and engaging as you would expect from the great theologian.

The more I learn of the doctrinal views and theological positions of Pope Benedict XVI (Card. Joseph Ratzinger) the more I see the "unity of faith" all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ share. Though Ratzinger discusses with due scholarly specificity a multitude of many Church related topics gone inadaquately addressed for nearly 500 years, it's his personal narratives of, and introductions to the agenda items presented at the Council that give this book its unique, compelling character.To the degree all unworthy participants in Christ's salvation see "Reference to Christ as the only mediator, as the hope that guides our vision and our work" (Preliminary Notes p.67) and recognizes the beautiful call to christian unity of Ratzinger's statement "The primacy of love overcomes doctrinal doubts" (Opening of the Session p. 201) we stand a chance of demonstrating to the doubtful world the True Faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, brought together by the unity of love, without unnesessary conformity, in particular liturgical practices.By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another. John 13:15.

The historical perspective is very enlightening, in particular as regards the situation prior to Vatican II, which warranted Pope John XXIII's call to the bishops, and Pope Paul VI's continuation of that mission. The enormous scope of the project is revelatory. So often, in perplexity about developments since Vatican II, the times before the council can seem either halcyonic or anachronistic, perhaps especially for those who hadn't yet been born.Ratzinger, writing as a young, already brilliant scholar, lays the cards, the reasons, on the table clearly and fairly, as one who was there. His writing even then was extraordinary. The perspective this brings to later, sometimes troubling developments in our Church is valuable. If you have current concern for, and hope in, the Catholic Church in our day, this text is worth the price and your time.

if you are interested in the history of the Catholic Church, The Second Vatican Council and what is going on now, this will be a book you want to have. Not only for some insights into Pope Benedict XVI but also a reference point for how his thinking seems to have changed/digressed/progressed (take your pick) and a start to asking what happened to make it move so. Thank you Paulist Press for making it available.

A lucid and insightful personal account of the theological implications of the second Vatican Council for the structures of the modern Church

This gives a great insight into how the Church Fathers thought and struggled to come to agreement on what the Church was saying

The former Fr Ratzinger's initial thoughts on the 2nd Council. It is a interesting read and will shock fans of Pope Benedict.