STANDISH — Saint Joseph’s College, on 278 Whites Bridge Road, will host a symposium titled “Vatican II: 50 Years Later” from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Viola George Auditorium in Harold Alfond Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, was held from 1962 through 1965 at Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. It was attended by more than 2,000 bishops in addition to 450 theological experts and many non-Catholic observers and lay Catholics. The yearly meetings discussed the church itself and its relationship with the modern world and other religions.

The symposium will gather experts from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and Saint Joseph’s College, as well as visiting scholars, to lead a comprehensive discussion on Vatican II.

Topics and presenters include: Blessed John XXIII and the Origins of Vatican II (Msgr. Charles Murphy); The 20th Century Liturgical Movement (Msgr. Marc Caron); Apostolic Activity of the Laity (Dr. Patricia Ireland); The American Church in 1960 on the Eve of Vatican II (Dr. Jeffrey Marlett); The Church as Sacrament of Union and Unity (Sr. Doris Gottemoeller, RSM); The Two-Edged Sword: Scripture at Vatican II (Dr. Pamela Hedrick); Revelation: The Crisis of Session I (Dr. Daniel Sheridan).

Continuing education units will be available. For more information, contact Dr. Patricia Ireland, director of the online theology program at Saint Joseph’s College, at 207-893-7997 or at [email protected].