Charitable services are sometimes held up as a “shop window” and Catholic social teaching as the “best kept secret” of the Church. Reaching far beyond the usual writings on this topic, the authors from four European topic relevant institutes attempt to formulate the inter-relation between these two spheres or missions of the Church in relation to the outside world, the importance of which is only tentatively questioned. Giampietro Dal Toso, current secretary of the Papal Council COR UNUM, points to the theological inspiration of the Motu Proprio “Intima ecclesiae natura” to show the dramatic change in the position of the charitable service within the Church Magisterium. Heinrich Pompey, distinguished scholar and proponent of Charitable Service Studies (Caritaswissenschaft) in Freiburg (Germany) and Olomouc (Czech Republic) presents an exquisite model for conceptualisation of Charity-Theology. Rainer Gehrig, representative of Charitable Service Studies in Murcia (Spain) delivers a survey of the details and differences in emphasis put on the charitable service and Catholic Social Teaching, as well as a summary of academic institutes which offers an opportunity to study and explore the charitable services. Jakub Doležel, representative of Charitable Service Studies in Olomouc (Czech Republic) tables a model of integral caritas practice which maintains the balance between both courses of socio-pastoral mission.

Theologische Studien zu bioethischen und medizinischen Fragestellungen vernachlässigen oft den Aspekt der Gesundheit der Bevölkerung(en). Andererseits hat die Covid-19-Pandemie das Ausmaß der Vernetzung zwischen Völkern und Nationen gezeigt. Trotz zahlreicher Studien zu den ethischen, sozialen und medizinischen Herausforderungen einer globalen Pandemie gibt es immer noch eine bemerkenswerte Lücke in der Reflexion über die Rolle der katholischen Kirche sowohl hinsichtlich der öffentlichen als auch der globalen Gesundheit. Die Beiträge geben Denkanstöße aus moraltheologischer, bioethischer und missionstheologischer Perspektive sowie aus der Sicht einer Gesundheitspastoral und eines sozialen Engagements der Kirche. Der Band erscheint in englischer Sprache.

Explores the theological dimension of Catholic social teaching by showing how magisterial documents dealing with social issues are a path to enter into the mystery of the Christian God and to produce “theo-logy”: a reasoned discourse about the divine.

Caritas in veritate (Charity in Truth) is the ''social'' encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, one of many papal encyclicals over the last 120 years that address economic life. This volume, based on discussions at a symposium co-sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, analyzes the situation of the Church and the theological basis for Benedict's thinking about the person, community, and the globalized economy. The Moral Dynamics of Economic Life engages Benedict's analysis of ''relation,'' the characteristics of contemporary social and economic relationships and the implications of a relational, Trinitarian God for daily human life. Crucial here is the Pope's notion of ''reciprocity,'' an economic relationship characterized by help freely given, but which forms an expectation that the recipient will ''reciprocate,'' either to the donor or, often, to someone else. This ''logic of gift,'' Benedict argues, should influence daily economic life, especially within what he calls ''hybrid'' firms, which make a profit and invest a share of that profit in service to needs outside the firm. Similarly, development - whether of an individual or of a nation - must be integral, neither simply economic nor personal nor psychological nor spiritual, but a comprehensive development that engages all dimensions of a flourishing human life. The essays, written by social scientists, theologians, policy analysts and others, engage, extend, and critique Benedict's views on these issues, as well as his call for deeper dialogue and a morally based transformation of social and economic structures.

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.

Described as 'the Catholic church's best kept secret,' Catholic Social Teaching provides a rich body of thought, and finds a particular resonance as all denominations in the church seek to engage with the needs of contemporary society. Yet beyond the immediate context of the Catholic church, it is all too readily ignored. Resolutely aimed at those who come from traditions beyond the movement’s traditional catholic heartlands but who seek to view their ministry through the lens of generous orthodoxy, "Love in Action" offers a deeply scriptural but accessible introduction to this vital approach to the church’s ministry in the world.

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.

"A guide to key themes of the Catholic social teaching tradition and its implications for ethical issues such as war, peacemaking, and the global refugee crisis"--