Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Outstanding reference work for anyone interested in studying and understanding the key documents of modern Catholic social teaching. (The "modern" period begins in 1891, when Pope Leo XIII wrote "Rerum Novarum," a formal letter, known as an encyclical, on the condition of workers.) Part One includes four essays to provide a context for Catholic social teaching; Part Two includes fourteen commentaries on major documents; and Part Three, with three essays, focuses on broad themes, including the future of Catholic social teaching. The commentaries are the meat of the book, and they reflect a simple framework that will appeal in particular to non-specialists: an intro; an outline; the ecclesial and social context; authorship and process of formulation; the primary essay; reactions to the document; an excursus; and a select, annotated bibliography. All of the contributors represent progressive Catholicism in the United States, that is, scholars within the tradition committed to the ongoing renewal of the church in the spirit of Vatican II.
Synopsis
With an equal emphasis on every word in the title--and with a distinctly American perspective--Himes and his distinguished associate editors and contributors, have assembled the most thorough and authoritative assessment of modern Roman Catholic social teaching to date, likely to remain the touchstone volume for decades. This culmination of many years of effort by twenty stellar scholars has produced a reference work for anyone interested in understanding or studying the key documents that comprise the central corpus of Catholic social teaching.
In addition to interrogations of the major documents, this volume provides an understanding of the biblical and philosophical foundations of Catholic social teaching, addresses the doctrinal issues that arise in such a context, and explores the social thought leading up to the "modern" era, generally accepted as beginning in 1891 with the publication of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum. Finally, there is a review of how Catholic social teaching has been received in the United States, and an informed look at the shortcomings and questions that future generations must address.
By any standard, Modern Catholic Social Teaching is a remarkable work--intellectually rigorous and deeply faithful, it provides accessible and thought-provoking insights into the heart of a belief tradition that every Catholic will find invaluable.