Fifty distinguished authors, including theologians, journalists, spiritual writers, and pastoral leaders, offer their own assessment of the meaning of the Second Vatican Council and its historic documents, drawing in many cases on their personal experience as witnesses or participants. Beginning with an overview of the Council in context, the contributors-a "who's-who" of modern Catholic and non-Catholic voices-reflect on the Council's impact on liturgy, the understanding of the church, revelation, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, and social issues. At a time when virtually every debate about the current state of the church and its future refers to differing interpretations of the Council, these personal stories-rooted in an historic event-could not be more relevant for today. Book jacket.