Pope Francis: The Legacy of Vatican II

Great summary of Catholic social teaching.

I give this book five stars because it teaches - not only about Pope Francis but about what it means to be Catholic. I am a stay at home mother of many and I am presently studying for a Masters degree in theology. Below are my thoughts, in particular.What is the true “Spirit of Vatican II”? Surely it is one that fulfills the original purpose of the Council, as stated by Pope John XXIII in his opening speech to the council. It is the spirit that uses the “medicine of mercy rather than the weapons of severity.” It is one that "explains the validity of [the Church’s] doctrine more fully,” and in this expression of truth, ensures the “same meaning and same judgement.” A task of any pope is certainly to guard the deposit of faith and preserve continuity with his predecessors. Pope Francis is no different, and we discover who Jorge Bergoglio truly is in a new book, which seeks to discover his theological mind.The many sound bites and news editorials about Pope Francis the last two years have been confusing, to say the least. Those confused and concerned will be truly enlightened by this book, Pope Francis: The Legacy of Vatican II, by Dr. Eduardo Echeverria. Beginning with the call of Vatican II by Pope John XXIII, Dr. Echeverria diligently shows how the ideas in the writings, homilies, and speeches of Archbishop Bergoglio, continuing through his Pontificate as Pope Francis, represent a hermeneutic of continuity with the tradition of the Church and with each of his predecessors. It would be a challenge for anyone, whether a cleric, scholar, or layman, to be as well-read as Professor Echeverria on Jorge Bergoglio and to offer a methodical analysis of Francis as a theologian. The depth of research that went into this book is shown throughout the bibliography and vast citations.Professor Echeverria thoroughly presents the call of Pope Francis to all to reflect on the truth of the Dignity of the Human Person, to create a "culture of encounter," and seek unity with others as brothers and sisters in Christ. The book is attentive to the Church infighting, from Traditionalist to Progressive, and shows how Pope Francis speaks to all and invites us to the central Gospel message: "respond to the God of love who saves us, see God in others, and go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others" (Pope Francis, Evangelii gaudium, 39). Dr. Echeverria explains how Pope Francis' method of spreading the "fragrance of the Gospel” consists in understanding a "hierarchy of truths” - not a quantitative hierarchy, but an inclusive one - in which each truth of the body is better understood in harmony with the whole Christian message. Indeed, the sweet smell of Gospel truth can be particularly pungent to some, yet very welcoming to others. Many can expect to be challenged in reading this book, as our Lord was challenging for any who lacked a humble heart. Pope Francis is calling every one of us to spiritual maturity, with an awareness, yet aversion, to our own sins.Dr. Echeverria's book helped me to see some errors in many of my preconceived ideas, through the theology of Jorge Bergoglio, in continuity with the teachings of the Church. This book challenged me spiritually as well as intellectually. As Pope Francis has reminded us, theology should be done with an open heart and on one's knees.

I pulled an earlier review of this book because I did not want to be caustic. However re-reading the previous review caused me a bit of concern since its essential attitude evidences just what alarms me about our current pontiff. "It would be a challenge for anyone, whether a cleric, scholar, or layman, to be as well-read as Professor Echeverria on Jorge Bergoglio and to offer a methodical analysis of Francis as a theologian." Exactly!And if we need a professional theologian engaging in intense rhetorical analysis to reassure us of the poe's soundness, we have a problem. Pope Francis may be spreading a fragrance, but it is odd to unnerving that almost all of the more conservative commentators have by now registered concern over where he is taking us...* While almost all of the more liberal commentators are applauding. And regardless of what the Synod on the Family ends up deciding, isn't it striking that a wholesome publisher like Ignatius Press has risked Rome's displeasure twice now by issuing pressing commentaries by cardinals convinced things are not quite right?To suggest that those who are challenged by Pope Francis lack a humble heart is fall for the misguided idea that the Pope is like the Mormon 'prophet,' an oracle or uniquelky-inspired leader. Not! He is a fallible man, and the history of the Church proves popes are as often as not problems. The institution itself safeguards the Church from defining error: it does not assure us of divine programs or wise initiatives. For Dr. Echeverria to promote the idea the Francis is in incontestable conformity with Tradition, and to ignore viable scholarship such as that of DeMattei simply because he finds it negative... Well, its a glossing over on data worthy of the Obama White House.Both Pope Francis and Obama seem like good men. Both to me also seem quite misguided. My comments are no "hatchet job," despite Echeverria's earlier protestations. HE may be wishing for the applause of uninformed layman, and he will likely get it. The impulse to defend the Pope is not a bad one. But As a communication scholar and researcher in historical theology, I simply have to demur from his vigorous insistence that all is well with the Holy Father's program for the Church. Interestingly, most of the voices normally ready to defend Rome are these days more hesitant if not discouraged. That fact should tell humble hearts they may need to to a little more diverse listening and reading themselves.* I wrote this last night and lo and behold, William Odie rings in with similar sentiments this morning.<http://www.crisismagazine.com/2015/this-pope-does-not-do-doctrine>All of which is only to argue that Dr. Echeverria's choice to not discuss negative data outside his opening and closing chapters ignores the very concern that would make his book more helpful. And in these days of auto-publishing, I will add, a 'small' publishing house sounds essentially very much like the same thing as self-publishing. If I am wrong he was paid for his book project, I stand corrected on that specific note. But that aside, I find this more hagiographical than analytical no matter how dense the footnotes. And now that Francis wants to rubber stamp annulments, I am a bit scandalized at E.E.'s holier-than-thou defense of The Holy Father. Some observations are so common-sensical, you have to winder at those going to such pains to circumvent them. Unless they have s take in their role in The Academy. Which this author most unfortunately does. Unless he chimes in to say he is donating all profits it immigrants, as his Pope Francis would advise....<crickets>