Where does the Catholic Church stand five centuries after Luther and five decades after Vatican II? To find out, join one of the worldâs greatest living biblical scholars, the University of Oxfordâs Fr. Henry Wansbrough, in this captivating audio lecture series.
In 1517, Martin Lutherâs protest ruptured Christendom. In the 1960s, the Second Vatican Council concentrated its energy on understanding and overcoming the longstanding division between Catholics and Protestants with the hope of attaining unity.
This series explores the reform efforts undertaken by three great Councils of the Church: Trent, Vatican I, and Vatican II. Stimulating theological discussions, amusing anecdotes, personal recollections, and touches of British humor are never in short supply with Fr. Wansbrough.
At the World Lutheran Congress in Lund, Pope Francis gave thanks for the dissenting 16th-century German friar. At the time of Lutherâs protest, the Church was indeed in need of reform. Pastoral care had fallen off and financial corruption had reached scandalously high levels.
Spurred into action by Lutherâs protest, a reformation of the Catholic Church was led from within, by the papacy. It is a movement in which Fr. Wansbrough urges all Christiansânot Catholics aloneâto take an active part.
Whatever your background, under Fr. Wansbroughâs guidance, you will gain new understanding and hope for Christianityâs future.
This course is part of the Learn25 Collection.