www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Looking for a Book on Patriarch Maximos IV and Vatican II

I am wondering if any of you have ever run across a book (I believe it was published by Herder) that details the speeches and writings of Melkite Patriarch Maximos IV in relationship to his efforts during the Second Vatican Council. I ran across just such a book several years ago, but neglected to write down the title. Now in my graduate theological studies, I would like to reference it for a paper I am writing! (Go figure!)

I have a few of his speeches, along with Bishops Joseph Tawil and Elias Zoghby's from Kung, Congar and O'Hanlon's Council Speeches of Vatican II .

Any thoughts? Your help would be greatly appreciated!

God bless!

Gordo

I would love to see a book written on the history of the five patriarchates under one cover, including a list of all the lawful and unlawful adherants to the See.
Stephanos I

Dear Gordo, I suspect that the book you have in mind (and it's well worth having in mind) is titled The Eastern Churches and Catholic Unity edited by Patriarch Maximos IV, published in English by Herder (it's a translation from the original French).

There is in French a book which gives all the interventions during the Council from Patriarch Maximos IV and from his bishops; I keep hearing that it will be published in English, but so far it does not seem to have appeared.

Incognitus

A bit of trivia. I used to know the late Abbot Gregory Gomez OSB (Lord Abbot of New Norcia in Western Australia) who attended the council, as he was an Abbot Nullius. He recalled one day the Patriarch trying to use another language other than Latin in his deliberations. The Patriarch claimed to not know Latin and therefore spoke on I think in French. The Abbot who was sat next to Abbot Gregory turned to him and said "he speaks better Latin than you and I put together". another elderly priest said that the Patriarch was the one who conviced the Pope to make all cardinals bishops. The priest said that one day the Patriarch arrived unannounced in Rome and had come to stay. At this time the council was having a short break. The Patriach said he had been thinking of this for some time and wanted to discuss this with the Pope. Within the week according to this priest this was put into place.

Thank you, Incognitus! That is precisely the text I was looking for.

Many years!

Gordo

PS: I just bought the only copy of it available on Amazon.com . IMHO, I think the Eparchy of Newton's Sophia Press should consider a reprint of this.

Much to the chagrin of Henri de Lubac, who refused the episcopacy when Pope John Paul II initially tried to make him a cardinal. He was upset that his longtime friend and fellow Jesuit collaborator, Jean Danielou, had been made a bishop as a condition for his elevation to cardinal. I guess it took several years of convincing, but eventually the pope gave in to the emminent theologian of the council. Father Henri remained Father Henri Cardinal de Lubac.

Regarding Patriarch Maximos, I have nothing but glowing admiration for him. His influence on the council was tremendous. In the book I mentioned called the Council Speeches of Vatican II edited by Kung, Congar and O'Hanlon, his speech during the council on the Pope as the "Servant of the Servants of God" is marvellous.

Gordo