From our point in history, more than 100 years after the so-called modernist crisis of the early 20th century, it is easy to be appalled by the Church's repression of any and all creative theology in the 60 years prior to the Second Vatican Council.

Angelo Giuseppi Roncalli, the pope who convoked the Second Vatican Council, was a pope like no other in the 20th century. He rose to become Pope John XXIII basically under the radar and was formed by a unique set of experiences that helped him understand that the action of the Holy Spirit is not confined to the Catholic Church.

Canada's bishops and Catholic universities were among those who responded to the Vatican's call in 1959 for input about topics that ought to be considered at the Second Vatican Council.

Between Pope John XXIII's announcement of an ecumenical council in January 1959 and the opening of the Second Vatican Council in October 1962 was a period approaching four years.