15783. THE VATICAN COUNCILS. An overview and analysis of the First (1869-1970) and Second (1962-65) Vatican Councils which considers the purpose and politics surrounding each Council and the scope of activities in each. The analysis focuses on the controversy generated by the pronouncement of the doctrine of infallibility in Vatican I and the extent to which Vatican II represented an effort by the Church to change in response to social forces. 7 pages, 14 footnotes, 5 bibliographic sources.