Christopher M. Bellitto – författare

Reforming the Church before Modernity considers the question of ecclesial reform from late antiquity to the 17th century, and tackles this complex question from primarily cultural perspectives, rather than the more usual institutional approaches. The common themes are social change, centres and peripheries of change, monasticism, and intellectuals and their relationship to reform. This innovative approach opens up the question of how religious reform took place and challenges existing ecclesiological models that remains too focussed on structures in a manner artificial for pre-modern Europe. Several chapters specifically take issue with the problem of what constitutes reform, reformations, and historians' notions of the periodization of reform, while in others the relationship between personal transformation and its broader social, political or ecclesial context emerges as a significant dynamic. Presenting essays from a distinguished international cast of scholars, the book makes an important contribution to the debates over ecclesiology and religious reform stimulated by the anniversary of Vatican II.

Essential Vatican II identifies the controversies that emerged from Vatican II and the impact of the Council's themes on contemporary Church life. The team of contributors comes from a variety of backgrounds, methodologies, personal experiences, and vocations of ministry steeped in the Council. Each chapter outlines the essentials of its topic, explains what happened at Vatican II and why, and most especially, describes what's happened since Vatican II.With over a half century of experience in diverse cultures, each contributor asks: What do we now see as the document's strengths and weaknesses? Where has the document made a difference—or not? Where have its visions been implemented—or not? What have the reactions for and against been—and why? What might the future hold?Christopher M. Bellitto, PhD, is a professor of history at Kean University in New Jersey. A specialist in reform in medieval and church history, he has written for Paulist Press the companion volumes Renewing Christianity and The General Councils along with 101 Questions and Answers on Popes and the Papacy.†

The Church, the Councils, and Reform brings together leading authorities in the field of church history to reflect on the importance of the late medieval councils. This is the first book in English to consider the lasting significance of the period from Constance to Trent (1414-1563) when several councils met to heal the Great Schism (1378) and reform the church. The authors look afresh at this era and consider how its legacy of reform and conciliarism may remain relevant to today's contexts of challenge and change. Since the central convictions of the conciliar movement involved the relationship between authority and consent, collegiality and hierarchy, diversity and identity, the book reflects on the predicaments of modern community-building when communities are experimenting with broader participation in the decision-making process.The authors examine how theologians, jurists, humanists, and reformers articulated three essential tasks - to promote unity, defend the faith against heresy, and guarantee continuing reform. The Schism caused them to rethink accepted concepts of church government, and to balance their belief that a general council was informed by the Spirit and represented Christ with the need to reaffirm its legitimacy and yet preserve order in the visible institution.Written by noted specialists in generally non-technical language and in an ecumenical context, this volume will appeal to readers with an interest in issues of authority, consent and reform. It will have a special appeal to scholars looking for a provocative but balanced contribution to late medieval political theory, the history of conciliarism, and the coming of the Reformation.