The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A HistoryThere have been twenty-one universal gatherings 'ecumenical councils' of the Catholic Church. The first opened in 325, the last closed in 1965, and the names of many ring out in the history of the church: Nicea, Chalcedon, Trent, Vatican II. Though centuries separate the councils, each occurred when the church faced serious crises, sometimes with doctrinal matters, sometimes with moral or even political matters, and sometimes with discerning the church's relation to the world. The councils determined much of what the Catholic Church is and believes. Additionally, many councils impacted believers in other Christian traditions and even in other faiths. In this accessible, readable, and yet substantial account of the councils Joseph Kelly provides both the historical context for each council as well as an account of its proceedings. Readers will discover how the councils shaped the debate for the following decades and even centuries, and will appreciate the occasional portraits of important conciliar figures from Emperor Constantine to Pope John XXIII. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - Schmerguls - LibraryThing4686. The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church A History, by Joseph F. Kelly (read 21 Mar 2010) This is clear and well-written history of the councils, and while reading about some of the ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - Schmerguls - LibraryThingThis is clear and well-written history of the councils, and while reading about some fo the councils is not enjoyable, I thought his account of Vatican II very well done, though of course short. Some ... Read full review
Contents
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After the Council | 113 |
The Council of BaselFerraraFlorenceRome | 114 |
After the Council West and East | 119 |
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Toward Lateran V | 121 |
The Fifth Lateran Council | 123 |
The Council of Trent | 126 |
The Council of Trent Period I | 133 |
The Council of Trent Period 2 | 137 |
The Council of Trent Period 3 | 142 |
After Trent | 146 |
The First Vatican Council | 149 |
Gregory XVI | 154 |
Pius IX | 156 |
The Immaculate Conception | 157 |
The Syllabus of Errors | 159 |
Vatican I | 161 |
What If? | 163 |
The Council | 165 |
After the Council | 172 |
The Second Vatican Council | 174 |
The Changing World and the Changing Church | 179 |
John XXIII and the Calling ofVatican II | 182 |
The First Session 1962 | 185 |
The Second Session 1963 | 191 |
The Third Session 1964 | 194 |
The Fourth Session 1965 | 200 |
After the Council | 203 |
Epilogue | 205 |
Bibliography | 208 |
Index | 213 |