A concise guide to the documents of Vatican II

In this indispensable guide, Edward P. Hahnenberg outlines each of the sixteen documents produced by the Second Vatican Council. Offering the background for each work, its language and context, this book provides a clear and concise overview of the Council's work and its significance in the life of the church. Each document's history, content, major concerns and effects are considered. Significant quotes provide a sample of the language, and contemporary topics provide discussion opportunites.

Introduction: reading the documents of Vatican II -- The four constitutions -- Constitution on the sacred liturgy (sacrosanctum concilium) -- Dogmatic constitution on divine revelation (dei verbum) -- Dogmatic constitution on the church (lumen gentium) -- Pastoral constitution on the church in the modern world (gaudium et spes) -- The church as the people of God -- Decree on the pastoral office of bishops in the church (christus dominus) -- Decree on the ministry and life of priests (presbyterorum ordinis) -- Decree on the training of priests (optatam totius) -- Decree on the up-to-date renewal of religious life (perfectae caritatis) -- Decree on the apostolate of lay people (apostolicam actuositatem) -- Decree on ecumenism (unitatis redintegratio) -- Decree on the eastern catholic churches (orientalium ecclesiarum) -- The church in the world -- Decree on the mass media (inter mirifica) -- Decree on the church's missionary activity (ad gentes divinitus) -- Declaration on christian education (gravissimum educationis) -- Declaration on religious liberty (dignitatis humanae) -- Declaration on the relation of the church to non-Christian religions (nostra aetate).