New Book Published

A new book on Sulpician Cardinal Marc OUELLET, pss, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Council for Latin America since 2010, has appeared in French.

Titled Actualité et Avenir du Concile œcumenique Vatican II (Present and Future of the Ecumenical Council Vatican II), the book consists of interviews with Cardinal Ouellet conducted by Father Geoffroy DE LA TOUSCHE, a young priest from the Diocese of Rouen in France, who completed his doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Gregorian University in Rome in 2002. There are eight chapters and a conclusion, grouped under the following main headings:

• Biography
• General Questions concerning Vatican Council II
• The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
• Vocations
• Announce the Kingdom
• Dei Verbum
• Concerning Liturgy
• Gaudium et Spes

The interviews were conducted in two lengthy sessions, the first held at the Abbey of Saint Wandrille in the Diocese of Rouen in July 2011, and the second at the Cardinal’s apartment in Rome in December 2011. The Cardinal’s responses to the many questions posed by his interviewer show both his astute theological mind and his pastoral vision. The interviewer also comments that Cardinal Ouellet has lost none of his masterful teaching abilities in his present ministry as a major coworker with the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.


Not only does Cardinal Ouellet speak quite personally of his experience growing up in the small village of Amos in Québec, but he also shares many observations about his understanding of the importance of Vatican II and how it continues to shape the life of the Church.

The book is published by L’échelle de Jacob of Dijon, France and is available at La Procure and other French bookstores for a retail price of 18 Euros. It makes a fine way to reflect on Vatican II as the fiftieth anniversary of its opening and closing approaches, beginning with the Year of Faith (11 October 2012 – 24 November 2013).