The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History

by Joseph Kelly

There have been twenty-one universal gatherings 'ecumenical councils' of the Catholic Church. The first opened in 325, the last closed in 1965, and the names of many ring out in the history of the Nicea, Chalcedon, Trent, Vatican II. Though centuries separate the councils, each occurred when the church faced serious crises, sometimes with doctrinal matters, sometimes with moral or even political matters, and sometimes with discerning the church's relation to the world. The councils determined much of what the Catholic Church is and believes. Additionally, many councils impacted believers in other Christian traditions and even in other faiths. 

In this accessible, readable, and yet substantial account of the councils Joseph Kelly provides both the historical context for each council as well as an account of its proceedings. Readers will discover how the councils shaped the debate for the following decades and even centuries, and will appreciate the occasional portraits of important conciliar figures from Emperor Constantine to Pope John XXIII.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2009

Reviews

[Robert P. Denoncour]

Packed with façts

Enjoyable narrative and easy to follow. Pre Vatican I chapters showed much I did not know, Vatican I and II chapters put information into context.

[Dr Matt]

Excellent little handbook for a complex subject in Ecclesiastic History. I find myself referring back to it often.

Most of the book is solid information but there is little that is theologically insightful here. This is an introduction. However, I really enjoyed the later chapters on Vatican II where some of the author's theological view peek through.