"The future of humanity passes by way of the family." -Pope John Paul IIFamiliaris consortio is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation written by Pope John Paul II and promulgated on 22 November 1981. This edition has been grammatically edited and formatted to improve readability of the original translation.This document describes the position of the Catholic Church on the meaning and role of marriage and the family, and outlines challenges towards realizing that ideal. It refers to marriage as "one of the most precious and most urgent tasks of Christian couples in our time."Familiaris consortio restates the Church's opposition to artificial birth control, stated previously in Humanae vitae, and briefly mentions the opposition of the Church to abortion. It also discusses the responsibility and expectations of the family regarding the education of children. It continues with a description of the expectations of the family relative to the larger society, including service to the poor.This document is for all young men and women preparing for marriage, for all fathers and mothers trying to raise a Christian family, for clergy guiding their flock in understanding the sacrament of matrimony, and for all people endeavoring "to save and foster the values and requirements of the family."

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.

A collection of articles that survey contemporary papal teaching on moral theology, dealing specifically with economics, gender, sexuality and life issues.

In the World, But Not of the World explores the threefold tension among Alasdair MacIntyre's prognosis for Western society; the desires of some for a social transformation with a Christian moral vision at the sacred centre; and a "baptist" understanding of Christianity as essentially voluntary, non-sacralist discipleship. Andrew Fitz-Gibbon uses five contemporary Christian social thinkers, from different traditions, as conversation partners. Through his examination of these thinkers, Fitz-Gibbon explores how the church may continue to truthfully narrate the Christian story in the midst of the moral tensions of late-capitalist Western society. His creative conclusion is that the church at the beginning of the twenty-first century can move toward a resolution of the central tension of "being in the world, but not of the world" through a synthesis of the believers' church tradition and an affirmation of communitarian liberal democracy.

In The Forgotten Instruction: The Roman Liturgy, Inculturation, and Legitimate Adaptations, Father Martin explores the evolution of the Church's theology and practice of inculturation and describes how these insights have influenced the accommodations and adaptations made within the Roman liturgy. Beginning with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, explaining Pope John Paul II's understanding of the role of inculturation in evangelization, catechesis, and liturgical renewal and ending with the Fourth Instruction on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, this work surveys the liturgical developments made in the Roman rite. Particular attention is given to the original and subsequent revisions to the Rite of Marriage, the Rite of Ordination, the Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, and the Order of Christian Funerals. The Forgotten Instruction also comments on the responsibility that the Church bears in preserving the Roman rite while enabling it to serve its proper role in the transfiguration of cultures and the lives of individuals. With tables that break down the areas and reasons for adaptation, as well as special considerations about the procedures to be followed in more radical adaptations, this book is an informative, practical resource that will provide readers with insights into responsible pastoral practice.--Publisher.

A collection of the best contemporary essays on the theology and ethics of marriage.

This Compendium is a unique, unprecedented document in the history of the Church. It serves as a tool to inspire and guide the faithful who are faced daily with moral and pastoral challenges. Parts include: God's plan of love for humanity The family, the vital cell of society Social doctrine and ecclesial action For a civilization of love Index of references Analytical index

Provides a systematic analysis of the moral theology that underlies Pope John Paul II' moral teachings, and its astonishing influence. This book focuses on the authoritative statements, specifically the fourteen papal encyclicals the pope has written, to examine how well the pope has addressed the broad issues and problems in the Church.