The Crisis of Authority in Catholic Modernity - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199778787 ISBN 13: 9780199778782

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 2011

Synopsis

One deep problem facing the Catholic church is the question of how its teaching authority is understood today. It is fairly clear that, while Rome continues to teach as if its authority were unchanged from the days before Vatican II (1962-65), the majority of Catholics - within the first-world church, at least - take a far more independent line, and increasingly understand themselves (rather than the church) as the final arbiters of decision-making, especially on ethical questions. This collection of essays explores the historical background and present ecclesial situation, explaining the dramatic shift in attitude on the part of contemporary Catholics in the U.S. and Europe. The overall purpose is neither to justify nor to repudiate the authority of the church's hierarchy, but to cast some light on: the context within which it operates, the complexities and ambiguities of the historical tradition of belief and behavior it speaks for, and the kinds of limits it confronts - consciously or otherwise. The authors do not hope to fix problems, although some of the essays make suggestions, but to contribute to a badly needed intra-Catholic dialogue without which, they believe, problems will continue to fester and solutions will remain elusive.

About this title

Review:

This is a book that should be widely read.... (Thomas P. Rausch, S.J., America.)

The book deserves high praise for the level of serious thought and the breadth of well-founded knowledge that it makes available. Readers with the continued vitality of the Christian tradition at heart will not be disappointed. (Theological Studies)

This volume contributes to a diagnosis of the cultural shifts underlying this crisis and will hopefully spur further dialogue. It is highly recommended for theologians and clergy, and is suitable for the graduate classroom. (Catholic Books Review)

Each essay is clearly written and convincingly argued...This is a model of what edited collections should be. Highly recommended for cultural critics, theologians, historians, and any interested in thinking seriously about the future of the church. (American Catholic Studies)

About the Author:

MJL: Senior Fellow, Lonergan Institute, Boston College FO: Former president of Williams College, former president of the New England Medieval Conference, currently chairman of the Board of the American Council of Learned Societies

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0199778787
• ISBN 13: 9780199778782
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 392
• Editor: Lacey Michael J.