Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger: Truth and Tolerance, Christian Belief and World Religions

Jesus on the Cross attended by His Mother and St. John

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” By maintaining the truth of Christ’s claim does the Catholic Church exhibit intolerance and religious arrogance? Cardinal Ratzinger responds to public scorn of the document Dominus Iesus and reflects on the Christian claim to Truth, the tolerance of Love, and the maintenance of peace. First published in 2004. ISBN recommendation: 1-58617-035-X.

Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople: Joint Catholic-Orthodox Declaration

Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I embrace

A joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration, proclaimed 7 December 1965, committing the excommunications, related to Papal embassy to Constantinople in 1054, to oblivion. The declaration marks a first step toward reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox communions. Image links to Vatican translation.

Vatican II

Dispersion of the Fathers, Second Vatican Council, by Lothar Wolleh

Considered by the Holy See an ecumenical council, Vatican II (A.D. 1962-65), was summoned by Pope John XXIII and begins a new phase in the development of the Church. The Council sought to initiate the adaptation of the Church to the modern world – presenting Christ as the relevant Truth even in the present age. Image above links to the Vatican translations of the Council decrees. ISBN recommendation: 0-87840-490-2