The Second Vatican Council which ended in 1965, promised so much. A new vision of a reformed Church aware of its social, theological and ecumenical responsibilities. A truly conciliar Church with collegial structures. But this vision seems to have evaporated and so many of the promised reforms have been truncated or have never happened at all. The Vatican remains intensely bureaucratic. Theologians are silenced and the effect of clerical scandal seems to have led Church leaders to dig in and see the deposit of faith as something static. Once again the Church believes it has a monopoly on the truth and millions of people feel marginalized and excluded. "The Tablet" has fought for the spirit and values of Vatican 2. It has criticised the Church (Humanae Vitae), has condemned corruption but has also supported the Church where it has been right to do so. To mark the retirement of John Wilkins as editor, a number of the most eloquent and distinguished contributors have been assembled to write essays about the Church of Vatican 2 but above all to prophesy where this vision may still lead the Church and the people of God. Many of the contributors have been and will remain the key figures in the fight to maintain a Church renewed and reinvigorated by the vision of the Second Vatican Council. Contributors include: Eamon Duffy, Joan Chittister, John Cornwell, Jonathan Sacks, Julian Filochowski, Lavinia Byrne, Nicholas Lash, Rembert Weakland OSB, Rowan Williams, Timothy Radcliffe OP and Hans Kung.

Author Biography

Austen Ivereigh is Deputy Editor of the Tablet, the UK's leading Catholic publication.