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Archbishop Angelo Roncalli (later Pope John XIII) read True and False Reform during his years as papal nuncio in France and questioned whether it was possible to reform the church. A decade later as pope, he opened the Second Vatican Council by describing its goals in terms that reflected Congar’s description of authentic reform: reform that penetrates to the heart of doctrine as a message of salvation for the whole of humanity that retrieves the meaning of prophecy in a living church, and that is deeply rooted in history rather than superficially related to the apostolic tradition. Pope John called the council not to reform heresy or to denounce errors but to update the church’s capacity to explain itself to the world and to revitalise ecclesial life in all its unique local manifestations. Congar’s masterpiece fills in the blanks of what we have been missing in our reception of the council and its call to ‘true reform’.
YVES CONGAR OP died in 1995, but was the most important ecclesiologist in modern times. His writings and his active participation in Vatican II had an immense influence upon the council documents. With a few other contemporaries, Congar pioneered a new style of theological research and writing that linked the great tradition of Scripture and the Fathers to contemporary pastoral questions with lucidity and passion. His key concerns were the unity of the church, lay apostolic life and a revival of the church’s theology of the Holy Spirit. He was named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his profound contributions to the Second Vatican Council.
‘Congar’s True and False Reform in the Church, although now six decades old, is perhaps even more relevant for the life of the church today than it was when he first penned it. This volume reflects the singular virtues of Congar, his fidelity to the Great Tradition, his generous ecumenical spirit, and his commitment to authentic ecclesial reform as a manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit. This elegant yet precise translation by Philibert makes widely accessible what is, perhaps, Congar’s most important work’. Richard R Gaillardetz PhD, Murray/Bacik Professor of Catholic Studies, The University of Toledo
‘True and False Reform in the Church is a renewal of vision that would effect a fundamental transformation of the pastoral life of the church. This work should be essential reading in systematic, pastoral, moral and historical theology modules at undergraduate and graduate levels’. Gabriel Flynn, Mater Dei Institute of Dublin City University
