Catholic Church, Dogmatic Theology 

"The need for the book is crucial, not only for readers of English, but for scholars generally. . . . It is the collection of Council documents and their authentic interpretation that is indispensable for the serious student." from the preface by John Cardinal Wright

Documents of Vatican II is a new translation of the original documents of the Ecumenical Council that changed the Catholic Church - and possibly all of Christianity - forever.

The question may be asked: Why a new edition of these documents? For eighteen years Austin Flannery was involved in the translation and publication of official Church documents, including Vatican II and its aftermath. He has long felt that there is need for a convenient and inexpensive book which would contain not only the sixteen Council documents, but also as many as possible of the relevant subsequent official documents, especially those which are positive in their implementation or application of the original sixteen documents.

In addition to a newer, more accurate translation of the original sixteen documents, Flannery has included documents of general interest which form part of the post conciliar process and which, generally speaking, are not readily accessible. The selection of documents was made to meet the needs of priests, educators, and lay persons who might find themselves asking: "Where can I get those documents on mixed marriages?", or "Isn't the index abolished - or is it?", or "What is the Vatican's official (and controversial) paper on the Jews?"

Taken from the back cover.