An explanation of Catholic social teaching using the 101 Questions format.

Now revised, this is a concise overview of what the major documents of the tradition say about political, economic, and social life, making accessible the key ideas that the Church has proclaimed in the area of social teaching.

Including contributions from twenty-two leading moral theologians, this volume is the most thorough assessment of modern Roman Catholic social teaching available. In addition to interrogations of the major documents, it provides insight into the biblical and philosophical foundations of Catholic social teaching, addresses the doctrinal issues that arise in such a context, and explores the social thought leading up to the "modern" era, which is generally accepted as beginning in 1891 with the publication of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum. The book also includes a review of how Catholic social teaching has been received in the United States and offers an informed look at the shortcomings and questions that future generations must address. This second edition includes revised and updated essays as well as two new commentaries: one on Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Caritas in Veritate and one on Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si'. An outstanding reference work for anyone interested in studying and understanding the key documents that make up the central corpus of modern Catholic social teaching.

Written in the popular question-and-answer format, this book examines the beliefs, practices, spirituality and culture of one of the most important families of faith communities, Buddhism.

In this book Giles Dimock answers some the most commonly asked questions about the Eucharist that have been posed to him in his preaching and teaching. He starts off with questions on the Jewish background of Eucharist and then examines the Last Supper and its theology in the light of the Paschal Mystery. Some of the other questions deal with transubstantiation, sacrifice, Real Presence, communion, and intercommunion. Fr. Dimock's answers are both practical and ecumenical. The questions range from the straightforward "Why is the Eucharist called Holy Communion," "What is Forty Hours," to the more involved "What is said about the Eucharist in the Code of Canon Law?" Father Dimock places the teaching of the Church on the Eucharist in conciliar and papal documentation. Here is a book, appropriately appearing at the culmination of the Year of the Eucharist, that will satisfy the spiritual as well as theological curiosity of college students and seminarians studying the Eucharist, as well as probing, informed lay people. +

Joseph Kelley has written a short, accessible, thorough introduction to, and overview of, Christian teaching on death, judgment, hell and heaven, called in theology the "four last things." Presented in the popular 101 Questions format, this book shows how these four topics, also referred to as "Christian eschatology," have their ancient roots in the sacred books of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially in the later writings known as apocalyptic literature. The New Testament receives and builds upon Jewish thought and piety, finding in Jesus Christ a new revelation about the meaning of death, the nature of judgment, and God's desire that all be saved and united through Christ in heaven. Kelley clearly presents the major theological ideas about the four last things that have emerged in Christian history, as well as the sacramental and pastoral practices surrounding death. Questions range from the simple What makes a cemetery Catholic? to Does the Church believe in reincarnation? to What do other religions say about judgment? and What does it mean to say that Jesus sits at God's right hand in heaven? This one-step guide to Catholic teaching on death, judgment, heaven, and hell is a one-of-a-kind book and will make informative, fascinating reading for high school, college, and graduate courses in theology, religion, psychology, social work, counseling, and ministry, especially death and dying courses. Also, adult education and parish study groups on death and dying as well as Christian support groups for bereavement. +

Touches on every major aspect of the mystery of the Church, its nature, mission, ministries and structures.