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101 Questions and Answers on Vatican II

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As a Professor of Philosophy and Religion, I think Sr. Maureen Sullivan's book is a readable and solid introduction to Vatican II. But as the other reviewers make clear, readers should be aware that Sullivan writes from a definite point of view. For example, she often makes it seem as though opposition during the council was motivated only by a political desire to retain power and prestige; her discussion would be more balanced if she would have at least mentioned that there was also reasonable dissent based on theological, philosophical, and Church Tradition arguments. On the other hand, she does discuss some of the negative effects of the council, and she captures the general spirit of the council well. Her main point, that Vatican II was overall a benefit to the Church, is hard to argue with.

My main dissatisfaction lies elsewhere. Anytime Sullivan describes the formal structure of the Church and members of religious communities, she only refers to "priests and nuns." She neglects the thousands of professed Brothers (of which I am one) in the Church (the vocation of Brother is essentially the male counterpart of nuns and sisters). Not recognizing Brothers is common among Catholics, but more surprising coming from a Dominican Sister who is sensitive to the similar neglect of women religious by the Church (an issue she laments Vatican II being slow to acknowledge). I'm sure her never mentioning Brothers as part of the Church was not intentional, nor the result of a desire to gain power and prestige--sometimes neglect is just neglect. Whatever the cause, I hope it gives her a new insight into the possible motives of those who wrongly neglected women in the pre-conciliar Church.

Sr. Maureen Sullivan, OP, has provided a very helpful aid for Catholic young adults who are attending courses in Catholic theology or participating in discussion groups. For people in this age grouping the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) is merely foggy history. However, it remains a pivotal event for understanding contemporary theological methods, biblical studies, liturgical renewal, spiritual self-understanding, approaches to ethical issues, as well as an overall sense of Catholic sensibilities. The information and insights that the author provides in "101 Questions about Vatican II" should provide the younger reader with a foundation for a better grasp of the issues still being explored and debated.

It is also the intent of the author to instill a sense of enthusiasm for the significance of this momentous event. As a Catholic priest ordained in early 1963 immediately after the conclusion of the first session of the Second Vatican Council I suspect that the original ecstasy of the Council and its aftermath will be difficult to replicated in the lives of those who did not share the agony of that period as well. For some members of an older generation this helpful guide may well provide memories that only now, some forty years later, fully reveal their significance.

I read this from the perspective of a philosophy/theology teacher and found it, quite simply, awful. It is biased, prejudicial, makes unwarranted leaps and assumptions, displays apalling ignorance of the issues and texts....It is really quite astonishing how very ignorant this book is, and how selectively it not only quotes, but interprets everyone so as to fit the pre-conceived biases. I am speaking as someone with no dog in this fight as to being a so-called theological "liberal" or "conservative," just as a trained logician/ethicist (and, full disclosure, as a Catholic) who would like to see truthful, reasoned argument.

The only use I can see for this book would be in a freshman introductory course on logic or critical thinking, on how NOT to argue. But don't take my word for it; read the Vatican II texts themselves and decide for yourself.

My issue with this book was that it really wasn't about Vatican II as a whole - it was about the parts of Vatican II that support Sr. Maureen's opinions. The "conservatives" were painted as villains in the council, while the "progressives" were shown in a bright, beautiful light of openness.

For instance, while Vatican II did not discuss birth control at all, the book strongly implies that "legitimate dissent" is reasonable on issues of life (e.g. birth control). Early in the book (page 28) Sr. Maureen accuses then Cardinal Ratzinger of lying by "rewriting" the early history of the council in 1985 (this accusation is based on a conversation Sr. Maureen had with Bishop Capovilla). The book also talks favorably about women religious openly opposing the church by ignoring specific Vatican requests to not attend female ordination conferences.

The book is an easy read and is incredible if your looking for excerpts from Vatican II documents to support "progressive" theology, but is really not very helpful in understanding the actual tenor or teachings of the second Vatican council. I would warn anyone reading this book that it is largely opinion and interpretation, not actual Catholic teaching.

to the magnaminous tolerance of the Holy See is called to attention by this book and the fact that Sr. Sullivan has not been excommunicated for not recanting many of her opinions expressed in it. I respectfully criticize the prudential judgement of the Holy See for this excessive tolerance. If you want to read about Vatican II, read "Catholic Matters" by Fr. Richard John Neuhaus. He points out that the election of Cardinal Josef Ratzinger to the papal throne was the swan song of the likes of Sr. Sullivan, most of whom he points out are now "toddling about the nursing home garden reminiscing about their Church which will never be." Want proof of who's winning: Sr. Sullivan's book: Amazon sales rank #501,479. Fr. Richard John Neuhaus's Catholic Matters #148,258. THE SPIRIT OF VATICAN II IS DEAD, THANK THE LORD. LONG LIVE POPE BENEDICT XVI.

I'm going to try and sum it up in a paragraph of what the statement this book makes. The hierarchy of the church are a bunch of old men with pointed white from Rome who are out of touch with the world and have no concern for the laity (especially women). Anything from pre-Vatican II is stale, outdated, and needs to be changed to an anything goes church. All the progressive positions since Vatican II are fresh, great and inclusive. The world needs more birth control, abortions (safe, rare and legal of course), less control of the church by the Magisterium, the laity should elect their bishops and pope's, women should be priests and there is a whole chapter dedicated how to justify being a cafeteria Catholic (dissent). If you are looking for what the church actually teaches on a position, this book will mostly give you the one sided liberal position of the author, which usually goes against actual Catholic Church teachings. Read the actual documents of Vatican II and not a one sided highly opinionated version of them.

the author is clearly very highly opinionated and it is all about her personal opinions, nothing to do with vatican II. she is obviously a leftist feminist who doesn't like the Pope.
leave well alone