This book commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, which concluded in 1965. A selection of essays by distinguished Irish theologians offers an objective assessment of the historical reception and pastoral implementation of Vatican II in Ireland with the benefit of half a century's hindsight. The authors discuss from a variety of different perspectives the theological significance of the Council for the self-understanding and reform of the Catholic church, both in the past and for the future.

In the autumn of 2005, Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin hosted a series of Public Lectures on Vatican II to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the closure of the Council. Vatican II: Facing the 21st Century brings together the papers presented during this series. The intention is to communicate some of the content of the documents, and to offer some historical and theological perspectives on Vatican II as it faces the twenty-first century.