The Catholicity of the Church [Paperback]

Avery Dulles, well-known for several previous works in ecclesiology, includingModels of the Church, here surveys a theme that demands new treatment in the present global and ecumenical context. Nearly all Christians profess allegiance to the holy catholic church, but the meaning of the term catholic is widely disputed. This book investigates the historical use of the word and the various aspects of catholicity. Beginning with the word's divine source in Christ as the first-born of all creation, Dulles goes on to discuss such topics as the catholic principle, Catholicism as a specific ecclesial type, and the possibility of a Protestant Catholicism. He concludes by asking how, given the current parochial appearance of Christianity, any Christian church can plausibly claim to be catholic.

Introduction
The Concept of Catholicity: Yesterday and Today
Catholicity from Above: The Fullness of God in Christ
Catholicity from Below: The Aspirations of Nature
Catholicity in Breadth: Mission and Communion
Catholicity in Length: Tradition and Development
The Structures of Catholicity: Sacramental and Hierarchical
The Centre of Catholicity: Roman Primacy
Catholic and Protestant: Contrary or Complementary?
Conclusion: Prospects for Catholicity
Appendix I Representative Texts on the Church as Catholic
Appendix II: Meanings of the Word Catholic
Indexes

The premier ecclesiastical thinker of our time. --America

Yet another fine ecclesiological monograph.The Catholicity of the Churchis made attractive by the intellectual virtues we have come to associate with its author. --Theological Studies

This is a fine book, providing a framework for fruitful dialogue among Christians of all traditions. --Journal of Theological Studies

Once again, Dulles has given us a comprehensive, balanced, and ecumenically sensitive study. --Journal of Religion

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