The Catholic Church in the Twenty-First Century: Finding Hope for the Future in the Wisdom of Its Past

In May 2003, more than five hundred people--an abbot, several bishops, many monks, priests, religious men and women, lay persons, and parish ministers--gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, to hear six outstanding contemporary theologians explore the history of the Church and the challenges and hope which that history has for the Church today and tomorrow. At the conclusion of the symposium, Father Michael Himes said, "Permit me to suggest...that what you are part of today is not only a conference "on history...such a conference "is history." This remarkable collection enables everyone to see, hear, or read these extraordinary theologians as they explore what The Church in the Twenty-First Century can learn from the Church of the past. The six talks, each one focused on the Church during a specific time--beginning with the Church of the New Testament on through Vatican II--deal with topics of interest and concern today, including crisis, sin, scandal, appointment of bishops, the role of the laity, and collegiality. In addition to the six major presentations and the introductory words of facilitator Richard W. Miller II, "The Church in the Twenty-First Century includes the question-and-answer session at the end of the symposium.