Social Catholicism for the Twenty-first Century?—Volume 2
New Hope for Ecclesial and Societal Renewal
Edited by William F. Murphy Jr.
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
414 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.83 in
- Paperback
- 9781666788624
- Published: September 2024
$52.00 / £39.00 / AU$77.00
BuyOther Retailers:
This rich collection of essays by distinguished scholars from across the globe can be read as sketching key steps on the path toward working in solidarity to build a future worthy of the human family through a new social Catholicism. These steps include a contemporary renewal of Christian humanism and of human rights, while learning to live as authentic Christian witnesses in pluralistic societies after the end of Christendom. They will also include working for a just and sustainable economic paradigm, becoming missionary disciples with a continual orientation toward the marginalized, and overcoming the plague of racism by working to build a constitutional democracy for every citizen. This societal renewal will require fostering robust movements of social Catholicism apt for our age, within which Catholics will pursue the Universal Call to Holiness through living their earthly vocations in a spirit of social friendship. They will creatively employ social media to foster apostolates extending beyond borders. In an age of "dark clouds" threatening dystopia, a new social Catholicism will require a reinvigorated pastoral leadership that has come to appreciate the dangers of populism, and the need to instead foster solidarity and incarnate Christian charity through a "better kind of politics."
William F. Murphy Jr. is currently theologian in residence at St. Edmund’s Retreat in Mystic, Connecticut, after working for over two decades as a professor of moral theology in Catholic universities and seminaries. He previously published four edited volumes of essays by Martin Rhonheimer through The Catholic University of America Press, while also editing the Josephinum Journal of Theology for many years. In addition, he has published numerous scholarly articles.
“This is that rare volume combining scholarly erudition with inspiring visions (and many heroes) of social justice. Each essay in this book serves as a reminder that Catholic social teaching, while solidly principle-based, is never reducible to ideology or abstractions. Rather, it is an adaptable resource capable of nurturing our practice of charity and our commitment to social justice. The reader will emerge from this volume with a thousand ideas for living out a renewed social Catholicism for our times.”
—Thomas Massaro, SJ, professor of moral theology, Fordham University
“This volume provides essential historical and theological context for an appreciation of the renewed focus on social Catholicism and the controversies that the pontificate of Pope Francis has sparked especially in North America. This book is essential for all those who want to comprehend the potential of social Catholicism in the context of the crisis of the liberal order and the disruption of globalization.”
—Massimo Faggioli, professor of historical theology, Villanova University
“As strange as it is to call these very current and forward-looking volumes a recovery, the essays compiled in Social Catholicism for the Twenty-First Century? in fact do recover some of the priority of practical reason for social questions in the moral tradition. The effort is timely and much needed. Murphy has gathered a splendid group of scholars in these volumes whose essays offer much for students of Catholic social thought to think about.”
—Steven P. Millies, professor of public theology, Catholic Theological Union
“The antiliberal and antidemocratic drift of some contemporary conservativism has found an unforeseen expression in the re-emergence of Catholic integralism—a tradition that resists the postwar evolution of Catholic social doctrine as the papal and conciliar magisterium moved toward a reconciliation with constitutional democracy and a strong affirmation of human dignity and rights against totalitarian threats. Partly in response to these developments, William Murphy has brought together in these volumes a forceful reaffirmation of social Catholicism that is both timely and welcome. These two volumes will be essential reading not only for scholars and students, but also for bishops, policymakers and advocates.”
—J. Augustine Di Noia, OP, archbishop
Related Titles
