Now in its third edition, Living Justice is an ideal introduction to Catholic social teaching. Thomas Massaro introduces readers to the history and basics of Catholic social teaching while highlighting new developments and helping readers understand how to apply this teaching to life today. Living Justice leads readers step-by-step through the building blocks of Catholic social thought, including its central themes, sources, and methods. Along the way readers encounter great heroes of social change and prophets of peace and justice. The third edition features significant updates throughout, including extensive coverage of Pope Francis and his two major social teaching documents: Evangelii Gaudium on gospel-grounded justice and Laudato Si’ on the environment. It also looks at the Pope’s contributions to peace and justice efforts around the world, including his advocacy for diplomacy, simplicity of lifestyle, and healthy family life. The third edition includes two new case studies in the dynamics of globalization—the global migration crisis and the scourge of human trafficking. It also contains expanded sections on globalization, the environment, and issues of peace and war. With its accessible and reader-friendly style, the third edition of Living Justice includes new discussion questions, revised topics for further study, and an updated list of resources that make the book an excellent resource for students or parishes.
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
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has tackled many issues of urgent reform within the church. Mercy in Action explores Pope Francis’s efforts to renewCatholic social teaching—the guidance the church offers on matters that pertain to social justice in the world. The book examines what Pope Francis has said, done, and written on six critical social issues today—economic inequality, worker justice, preserving the environment, healthy family life, the plight of refugees, and peacemaking. The book also highlights both continuity and change in Catholic social teaching. Author Thomas Massaro illustrates how on each social issue—from expressing solidarity with unemployed workers to writing an encyclical addressing environmental degradation and climate change—Pope Francis has worked to update the church’s message of social justice and mercy.
This book offers a thorough and accessible analysis of Catholic teaching on war and warmaking from its earliest stages to the present. Moral theologians Thomas Massaro and Thomas A. Shannon begin with a survey of the teachings on war in various religions and denominations and then trace the development of Just War theory and application, review the perspective of several Catholic bishops, comment on the bishops' pastoral letter The Challenge of Peace, address contemporary developments in light of 9-11 and the United States war with Iraq, and conclude with theological reflections. Complete with recommended readings, Catholic Perspectives on Peace and War offers an informative and thoughtful moral analysis that helps readers navigate the rapidly changing terrain of war, warmaking, and peace initiatives.
The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 drastically changed the delivery of social services in the United States for the first time in sixty years. More than a decade later, according to Catholic social ethicist Thomas Massaro, a disturbing gap exists between the laws we have enacted as a nation and the moral concerns we profess as a people. Massaro contends that ethicists too often focus on strictly theoretical concerns rather than engaging concrete social and political issues, while public policy experts are uncomfortable drawing ethical judgments about legislation. United States Welfare Policy takes a fresh approach to the topic by using Catholic social teaching as a lens through which to view contemporary American welfare policies, citing the tradition's emphasis on serving the needy—including a preferential option for the poor—and the common good. Massaro maintains that the most important outcome of welfare policy is not the cost-effectiveness of programs, but the well-being of individual families. The concluding analysis of this thoughtful study applies Catholic ethical concerns to specific aspects of welfare reform, including the funding mechanisms for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, work participation requirements affecting the bond between mothers and children, eligibility rules, the intrusion of family caps into reproductive decisions, and the imposition of disproportionate burdens upon particular demographic groups. Massaro offers possible alternatives in each case and, as the fight over reauthorization of the welfare act continues, he calls on Catholic churches and clergy and laity to take action and advocate publicly for a more ethical approach to welfare reform.
1. Francis, the Ethicist—This chapter provides an overview of the moral theology positions and commitments of Pope Francis. In non-technical language, it explains the methods by which Pope Francis moves from premises to conclusions as he appeals to ethical values and proposes teachings and practices embodying mercy and justice for the church and world. 2. Francis, the Discerner—On display in all his moral teachings and ethical leadership is the rootedness of Francis in the Ignatian practice of discernment. This chapter explains several key dimensions of discernment as practiced in the Jesuit tradition of the Spiritual Exercises and through the motifs of dialogue and synodality. Case studies include the teachings of Francis on the themes of healthy family life and the environment, where the actions he took and the documents he produced (Amoris Laetitia and Laudato Si’) display his Ignatian heritage in profound and illuminating ways. 3. Francis, the Communicator—This chapter documents several public relations strategies by which Francis connects with his global audience to communicate the urgency of enhanced social concern for the marginalized and the moral duties we owe to others in need. Francis displays remarkable communicative skill in conveying his core messages though such techniques as well-chosen papal visits and convening themed gatherings (such as the novel World Meetings of Popular Movements). Examining his choice of symbolic gestures and rhetorical flourishes sheds much light upon the social priorities of Francis. 4. Francis, the Advocate for Social Justice—While the previous chapters address the style and methodology by which Francis proceeds, this final chapter focuses on the substance of his ethical commitments to justice. These include an insistence on workers’ rights, championing the well being of refugees and trafficked persons, promoting peace building and challenging escalating economic inequality.
The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 drastically changed the delivery of social services in the United States for the first time in sixty years. More than a decade later, according to Catholic social ethicist Thomas Massaro, a disturbing gap exists between the laws we have enacted as a nation and the moral concerns we profess as a people. Massaro contends that ethicists too often focus on strictly theoretical concerns rather than engaging concrete social and political issues, while public policy experts are uncomfortable drawing ethical judgments about legislation. United States Welfare Policy takes a fresh approach to the topic by using Catholic social teaching as a lens through which to view contemporary American welfare policies, citing the tradition's emphasis on serving the needy—including a preferential option for the poor—and the common good. Massaro maintains that the most important outcome of welfare policy is not the cost-effectiveness of programs, but the well-being of individual families. The concluding analysis of this thoughtful study applies Catholic ethical concerns to specific aspects of welfare reform, including the funding mechanisms for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, work participation requirements affecting the bond between mothers and children, eligibility rules, the intrusion of family caps into reproductive decisions, and the imposition of disproportionate burdens upon particular demographic groups. Massaro offers possible alternatives in each case and, as the fight over reauthorization of the welfare act continues, he calls on Catholic churches and clergy and laity to take action and advocate publicly for a more ethical approach to welfare reform.
1. Francis, the Ethicist—This chapter provides an overview of the moral theology positions and commitments of Pope Francis. In non-technical language, it explains the methods by which Pope Francis moves from premises to conclusions as he appeals to ethical values and proposes teachings and practices embodying mercy and justice for the church and world. 2. Francis, the Discerner—On display in all his moral teachings and ethical leadership is the rootedness of Francis in the Ignatian practice of discernment. This chapter explains several key dimensions of discernment as practiced in the Jesuit tradition of the Spiritual Exercises and through the motifs of dialogue and synodality. Case studies include the teachings of Francis on the themes of healthy family life and the environment, where the actions he took and the documents he produced (Amoris Laetitia and Laudato Si’) display his Ignatian heritage in profound and illuminating ways. 3. Francis, the Communicator—This chapter documents several public relations strategies by which Francis connects with his global audience to communicate the urgency of enhanced social concern for the marginalized and the moral duties we owe to others in need. Francis displays remarkable communicative skill in conveying his core messages though such techniques as well-chosen papal visits and convening themed gatherings (such as the novel World Meetings of Popular Movements). Examining his choice of symbolic gestures and rhetorical flourishes sheds much light upon the social priorities of Francis. 4. Francis, the Advocate for Social Justice—While the previous chapters address the style and methodology by which Francis proceeds, this final chapter focuses on the substance of his ethical commitments to justice. These include an insistence on workers’ rights, championing the well being of refugees and trafficked persons, promoting peace building and challenging escalating economic inequality.
Now in its third edition, Living Justice is an ideal introduction to Catholic social teaching. Thomas Massaro introduces readers to the history and basics of Catholic social teaching while highlighting new developments and helping readers understand how to apply this teaching to life today. Living Justice leads readers step-by-step through the building blocks of Catholic social thought, including its central themes, sources, and methods. Along the way readers encounter great heroes of social change and prophets of peace and justice. The third edition features significant updates throughout, including extensive coverage of Pope Francis and his two major social teaching documents: Evangelii Gaudium on gospel-grounded justice and Laudato Si’ on the environment. It also looks at the Pope’s contributions to peace and justice efforts around the world, including his advocacy for diplomacy, simplicity of lifestyle, and healthy family life. The third edition includes two new case studies in the dynamics of globalization—the global migration crisis and the scourge of human trafficking. It also contains expanded sections on globalization, the environment, and issues of peace and war. With its accessible and reader-friendly style, the third edition of Living Justice includes new discussion questions, revised topics for further study, and an updated list of resources that make the book an excellent resource for students or parishes.
For over a decade Living Justice has introduced readers to Catholic social teaching. The second classroom edition has been revised and updated throughout to better meet the needs of students today. Key updates include further reflection on the use of the just-war theory in light of events in Iraq and Afghanistan, the revival of terrorist threats, the papacy of Benedict XVI, the social encyclical Caritas in Veritate, the recent financial crisis, business ethics today, and ongoing environmental concerns.
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has tackled many issues of urgent reform within the church. Mercy in Action explores Pope Francis’s efforts to renewCatholic social teaching—the guidance the church offers on matters that pertain to social justice in the world. The book examines what Pope Francis has said, done, and written on six critical social issues today—economic inequality, worker justice, preserving the environment, healthy family life, the plight of refugees, and peacemaking. The book also highlights both continuity and change in Catholic social teaching. Author Thomas Massaro illustrates how on each social issue—from expressing solidarity with unemployed workers to writing an encyclical addressing environmental degradation and climate change—Pope Francis has worked to update the church’s message of social justice and mercy.
This book offers a thorough and accessible analysis of Catholic teaching on war and warmaking from its earliest stages to the present. Moral theologians Thomas Massaro and Thomas A. Shannon begin with a survey of the teachings on war in various religions and denominations and then trace the development of Just War theory and application, review the perspective of several Catholic bishops, comment on the bishops' pastoral letter The Challenge of Peace, address contemporary developments in light of 9-11 and the United States war with Iraq, and conclude with theological reflections. Complete with recommended readings, Catholic Perspectives on Peace and War offers an informative and thoughtful moral analysis that helps readers navigate the rapidly changing terrain of war, warmaking, and peace initiatives.
Catholic social teaching guides us in how we are to live the Gospel in today’s world. Liturgy forms us in these teachings and sends us out into the world to give witness to the Gospel. Organized by the seven themes of Catholic social teaching as developed by the United States bishops, this resource explores the intimate connection between liturgy and Catholic social teaching. It provides insights for parish teams on how Catholics might better live what it is we celebrate each time we gather to worship God and express more fully, consciously, and actively what it means to be in right relationship with God and the world. With questions for discussion and reflection following each thematic chapter, worship teams, parish councils, and peace and justice committees will be able to evaluate and improve parish liturgical practices and ministerial outreach as rooted in Catholic social teaching. With penitential services organized by each of the seven themes, this resource also provides parishioners with the means to examine their own consciences, make acts of reparation, and resolve to be more committed to following the teachings of the Church. Liturgy and Catholic Social Teaching is sure to help build a world that more closely reflects the love and mercy, justice, and peace of God. The prayer services found in this book may also be downloaded as a PDF. Additional questions for discussion are also provided online for young adults.
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