Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action » (1st Edition)

Through Scripture,Tradition, world events, and living examples of heroism and holiness ranging from the simple to the extraordinary, Living Justice develops your understanding of Catholic social teaching and inspires you for service.

List of Tables     vii
Preface     ix
Social Justice and the Mission of the Church     1
The Religious Motivation for Social Justice Efforts     3
Social Mission and Church Morale     7
Sharing "Our Best-Kept Secret"     8
From "Charity Alone" to a Justice Orientation     9
Looking Ahead     14
Questions for Reflection     14
Topics for Further Research     15
Going Public with Your Faith     17
Bridging Two Distinct Worlds     17
Tertullian's Question     19
The Perils of the Crusading Spirit     22
Religious Idealism: Its Contribution to Politics     25
Maintaining a Delicate Balance     27
Together on Pilgrimage     29
Questions for Reflection     30
Topics for Further Research     31
Inheriting the Tradition of Catholic Social Teaching     33
The Documentary Heritage     34
A Look Back to the Nineteenth Century     40
Pioneers of Social Catholicism     43
The Writing of the Social Encyclicals     46
Questions for Relfection     52
Topics for Further Research     52
TheSources and Methods of Catholic Social Teaching     55
The Four Sources of Christian Ethics     56
Universal Principles and Local Applications     75
Questions for Reflection     76
Topics for Further Research     77
Nine Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching     79
The Dignity of Every Person and Human Rights     80
Solidarity, Common Good, and Participation     84
Family Life     87
Subsidiarity and the Proper Role of Government     89
Property Ownership in Modern Society: Rights and Responsibilities     91
The Dignity of Work, Rights of Workers, and Support for Labor Unions     95
Colonialism and Economic Development     97
Peace and Disarmament     103
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable     112
Questions for Reflection     116
Topics for Further Research     117
The Role of Catholic Social Teaching Today     119
A Blueprint? An Ideology? A "Third Way"?     119
The Catholic Critique of Communism     126
The Catholic Critique of Capitalism     129
Applying Catholic Social Teaching in the Real World     134
Commitments to Social Justice: Heroic and Ordinary      140
Questions for Reflection     142
Topics for Further Research     144
Future Directions for Catholic Social Teaching     145
Four Continuities: Further Shifts in Emphasis     145
Two New Challenges: The Environment and Globalization     158
Spreading the Word about Catholic Social Teaching     171
The Surprising Future     175
Questions for Reflection     176
Topics for Further Research     177
Annotated List of Resources for Further Study     179
Index     185
About the Author     191