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BOOK
Review
Living Vatican 11, The 21st Council for the 21st
Century by Gerald O’Collins, SJ, Paulist Press, NY,2006
Review by Anne Southwood, VOTF Boston, MA
At the beginning of the Vatican II Council, bishops
decided that the existing documents on divine revelation
and on the Church needed major revision. After approval
of the remarkable Lumen Gentium on the Church in 1964,
it approved Dei Verbum on revelation in 1965. The “people
of God” were focused on Jesus as the mediator
and fulfillment of God’s revelation in scripture
and tradition.
Before critiquing the reception of the Council documents,
the author tells us his background and reaction to
the Council in progress. Collins was an Australian
seminarian during the first two sessions, but as
an ordained Jesuit in Germany he was kept abreast
of developments during the last two sessions. Then
working in direct pastoral ministry, he exulted in
the lay participation made possible by the new vernacular
in the Mass.
Collins declares the Document on Divine Revelation
the “Magna Carta” of his scholarly life.
His focus has always been how we can speak of divine
revelation not only in the present but the future,
as the link with salvation history. In this book
he connects Dei Verbum and the Gaudium
Et Spes document
to joy and hope in the modern world. Collins points
to a share in the paschal mystery that is open to
all, in a way known only by the Holy Spirit.
Eventual Dean of an invigorated theology department
at Gregorian Institute, Rome, Collins made Dei
Verbum central to his Fundamental Theology course. His is
a theology of action and hope; Christ is not only
the light of the world but the life of the world.
Revelation and salvation are inseparable.
Collins states the history of Catholic Christianity
has shown repeated “creative fidelity” and
renewal in reception of Council documents. Is this
always with good speed? No. Does Collins fault specific
institutions of the Holy See? Yes, but tactfully.
His document- based book is not always an easy read,
but is the work of an insider wanting to share wisdom.
The author returns to the fourth century to applaud the response of the Cappadocians
in support of Trinitarian theology. Collins shares the base providing motivation
for their creativity: the saving work of Christ and the Holy Spirit, the normative
authority of scripture, and communal worship carried to the greater community
in need. Collins asks modern theologians to use the same criteria in their
work in service of the Church. The teaching office of the Church, he notes,
is not above the Word
of God, but serves it. He insists that the service of theologians is not limited to functions guided
by the official teaching office. His goal is the support theologians can bring
to the people of the world in freedom of inquiry and thought. In addition to
noting successful Church synods, Collins also supports strong episcopal conferences
and the ordination of female deacons as well as the appointment of more women
to Curial offices.
Without discounting progress made, Collins offers helpful hints for liturgy
aimed at a richer, more grace-filled worship. He advocates more involvement
and better catechesis of the young. Collins offers a chapter on receiving the
moral teaching of the Council and one on relations with others. His interest
in ecumenism leads to a suggestion of a common hymnbook, which might facilitate
more organic unity of Christians. Other dreams of the future include more free
cultural expression in living out Vatican II in Christ, who brings life in
abundance.
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