Catholicism Opening to the World and Other Confessions

This volume explores how Catholicism began and continues to open its doors to the wider world and to other confessions in embracing ecumenism, thanks to the vision and legacy of the Second Vatican Council. It explores such themes as the twentieth century context preceding the council; parallels between Vatican II and previous councils; its distinctively pastoral character; the legacy of the council in relation to issues such as church-world dynamics, as well as to ethics, social justice, economic activity. Several chapters discuss the role of women in the church before, during, and since the council. Others discern inculturation in relation to Vatican II. The book also contains a wide and original range of ecumenical considerations of the council, including by and in relation to Free Church, Reformed, Orthodox, and Anglican perspectives. Finally, it considers the Council's ongoing promise and remaining challenges with regard to ecumenical issues, including a groundbreaking essay on the future of ecumenical dialogue by Cardinal Walter Kasper.

Introduction: 1. How a Church Opened its Doors - Gerard Mannion.- 2. Deconstructing and Reconstructing a Cliché – On Vatican II as a “Pastoral Council”: John O’Malley, S.J..- 3. Benedict XV – A Most Unexpected Architect of Vatican II: Agnes de Dreuzy.- 4. Gaudium et Spes and the Opening to the World: Charles E. Curran.- 5. Economic Activity in Gaudium et Spes: Opening to the World or Theological Vocation?: Matthew A. Shadle.- 6. Women during and after Vatican II: Patricia Madigan, O.P..-7. Opening to the World: A Reformed Feminist Posture of Openness: Mary McClintock Fulkerson.- 8. Tensions Over ‘Feminism’, U.S. Women Religious, and the Contested Reception of Vatican II: Anne E. Patrick, S.N.J.M..- 9. Women and the Art of Magisterium: Reflections on Vatican II and the Postconciliar Church: Gerard Mannion.- 10. We are the Church – The Church in Dialogue in Papua: Jan Nielen.- 11. Mary as Type and Model of Church in Lumen Gentium –Reception in Asia: Agnes M. Brazal.- 12. From The Cardinal  to The Shoes of the Fisherman:  Hollywood’s Curious Fascination with Vatican II: Paul G. Monson.- 13. Bridges and Doors: An Ecumenical Reading of Vatican II: Dale T. Irvin.- 14. Vatican II - A Shift in the Attitude of the Roman Catholic Church towards the Reformation Churches? – A Protestant Perspective: Dagmar Heller.- 15. The Russian Orthodox Observers at Vatican II in the Context of Soviet Religious Politics: Anastacia Wooden.- 16. Vatican II and the Redefinition of Anglicanism: Mark D. Chapman.- 17. Surveying the Impact of Unitatis Redintegratio: Achieved Convergences – Current Processes – Open Questions: Dorothea Sattler.- 18. A Patroness for the Council? Building a Movement for Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Aid of Church Unity: Patrick J. Hayes.- 19. The Ecumenical Imperative after Vatican II: Achievements and Challenges: Susan Wood, S.C.L..- 20. Remembering the Future: Church and Churches Towards Multi-Faceted Unity: Cardinal Walter Kasper.- 21. Epilogue: Brian Flanagan.