Description
Curran draws on a wealth of knowledge and experience to evaluate John Paul II's work. He covers complex matters in his distinctive clear and direct style. For all who want a serious, critical analysis in relation to Catholic social tradition and the development of moral theology, this treatment is unsurpassed. -- Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College Charles Curran has given us a much-needed volume and has done so in masterful vision. Bringing together the teachings of the major social encyclicals with the moral and theological foundations of more general documents such as Veritatis splendor and Fides et ratio, Curran has provided the first comprehensive overview of the papal social perspective. He points to its genuine strengths but likewise shows its inconsistencies and questionable assumptions. No one serious about understanding Catholic social teaching can ignore this work. -- John T. Pawlikowski, professor of social ethics, Catholic Theological Union An excellent overview of John Paul II's moral teaching, and a most valuable resource for studying and assessing the Pope's overall contribution to Christian ethics. -- David Hollenbach, SJ, Margaret O'Brien Flatley Chair in Catholic Theology, Boston College A penetrating analysis of the moral theology of one of the dominant religious leaders of our time by one of contemporary Catholicism's most respected thinkers. Catholics and non-Catholics alike will be impressed by Fr. Curran's insights and criticisms and by the fair-minded and gracious spirit in which he offers them. -- J. Philip Wogaman, professor emeritus of Christian ethics, Wesley Theological Seminary There are books that provide overviews of the teaching of John Paul II and books that delve into the biographical background of his faith and teaching. I know of no book that examines so skillfully and carefully the theological and ethical method the pope utilizes in formulating his moral teaching. -- Kenneth R. Himes, chair, Department of Theology, Boston College
About the Author
Charles E. Curran, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Rochester, New York, is Elizabeth Scurlock University Professor of Human Values at Southern Methodist University. Curran, who has served as president of three national scholarly societies of theology and ethics, has written extensively in the field of moral theology, including The Catholic Moral Tradition Today: A Synthesis and Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present: A Historical, Theological, and Ethical Analysis.
Reviews
Curran deftly maps the moral theology that underlies Pope John Paul II's moral teachings ... Respect for the church's tradition as a source of moral insight means avoiding the urge to rush to judgment, be it dismissive or valorizing. And in advancing this task, Curran's book is a welcome and valuable contribution. Commonweal Curran has produced another important and timely contribution to Christian ethics, an especially helpful one for coming to terms with Pope John Paul II's methodological contributions to contemporary Catholic moral theology. It will be a valuable resource for students of the tradition. Journal of Religion A must for American Catholic intellectuals who care about authentic Catholic conversation around what we most deeply value in our tradition. Horizons
Awards
Winner of Catholic Press Association, Theology (United States) and Catholic Press Association, Theology 6 (United States). Runner-up for Catholic Press Association Book Award for Theology 6 (United States) and Catholic Press Association Book Award for Theology.
Book Information
ISBN 9781589010420
Author Charles E. Curran
Format Hardback
Page Count 280
Imprint Georgetown University Press
Publisher Georgetown University Press
Weight(grams) 522g