Will Pope Francis or a Successor Call a Vatican III Council?

Some Global and Historical Perspectives on Ongoing Crises

John Raymaker, Gerald Grudzen

• Publisher: Hamilton Books
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN: 9780761872269
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: History of Christianity

In 2008, the authors wrote Steps toward Vatican III which explored developments occurring in the Catholic Church including its teachings on social justice, interreligious dialogue, and Small Christian Communities. This update of Steps explores how Pope Francis has developed such themes in original ways in his encyclicals and in his use of synodal consultations. For example, in his Encyclical Laudato Si, the pope seeks to lead us into the mysteries of the universe, of creatures, and the harmony of creation. It helps us reflect on the universal communion of nature. Calling for a global ecological policy and a cooperative approach, the pope warns us that unless we respect nature, the entire planet and humanity will face drastic consequences.



In his meetings with economists and entrepreneurs, the pope has proposed a pact for renewing the economy to counteract the asocial aspects of modern business practices. He has discussed some of the most complex problems in today's world--from safeguarding the environment to courageously committing oneself to rethink the economic paradigms of our time. Young people, in particular, have responded with enthusiasm to Pope Francis' initiatives. The book notes how some "traditional" Catholics have opposed the pope, but it argues that, in fact, the pope is more traditional than his critics for he insists on going back to Jesus' own teachings.



The new ongoing crises such as the breakdown and rise of new ideologies, terrorism, massive advances in the sciences and in technology, as well as fundamental shifts in gender relations are further factors considered in the book. Indeed, the world is now radically different from the world of the early 1960's when Vatican II Council was held. Due to these many radical changes, the book suggests the need for a Vatican III which would consolidate the Church's global outreach on every continent.

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Part I: Challenges Facing the Church in the Twenty-First Century
• Part II: Has the Church Been Out of Touch with the Modern World?
• Part III: Principles and Strategies for the Church to Help Us Bridge Our Divides
• Appendix 1: Tyrrell’s Argument that Church Authorities had Usurped the Laity’s Role
• Appendix 2: The Hindu Notion of Bliss Consciousness, Saccidananda. Brahma, Brahman, Mantra—and a Contemporary Ideology
• Appendix 3: How the Church May Help Us from Falling Victim to the Hyperreality of Images
• Appendix 4: Fathoming how Mystics, Philosophers, and Theologians Address the Unfathomable: Pioneer Christian Thinkers Rephrasing Ancient-Medieval Thought in Modern Terms
• Appendix 5: How Philosophers and Historians Have Developed Notions of Lived Experience which can Buttress Integrating Bridges Based on a Global Mysticism
• Appendix 6: Pope Francis’ “Glocal” World View
• Glossary
• Selected Bibliography
• About the Authors