Reading List on Catholic
Social Teaching
- from the
Archdiocese of St. Paul (USA) Office of Social Justice Website
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Introductory Works |
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Doing FaithJustice: An Introduction to Catholic Social Thought |
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Fred Kammer, S.J. (Paulist Press, New York; 1991.)
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An excellent place to begin.
Written in a very popular style, this book is both interesting and
inspirational. It includes stories, commentaries on the Church's
teaching, and brief summaries of many of the official papal
encyclicals on social justice.
(Purchase online) |
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Living Justice : Catholic Social Teaching in Action |
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Thomas Massaro, S. J. (Sheed and Ward, 2000.)
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This small paperback
provides a succinct, plain-English synopses of Catholic social
teaching. It's especially good for people who are new to this subject
matter. It is clearly written and covers the basics of the teaching
very well. Includes a list of nine key themes from the teaching. The
themes are not discussed in detail, but the big picture is presented
very clearly.
(Purchase online) |
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Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching |
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Kenneth R. Himes O.F.M. (Paulist Press, 2001)
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Organized in a very
readable question-and-answer format, this small paperback gives "a
concise overview of what the major documents of the tradition say
about political, economic, and social life." The 101 answers are
grouped by topics and presented in a clear, accessible style with
numerous references to the official documents. Especially good in
explaining the social, communitarian nature of Catholic social
teaching.
(Purchase online) |
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Catholic Social Teaching and Movements |
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Marvin L. Krier Mich (Twenty-third Publications, Mystic, CT;
1998)
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This is a superb introduction to
Catholic social teaching. It covers not only the official documents
and encyclicals but also describes the movements and people who
embodied the struggle for social justice in the last 100 years. Very
well written. Makes the Catholic tradition of social justice come
alive.
(Purchase online) |
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Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret |
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Peter Henroit, Edward DeBerri, Michael Schultheis
(Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 1988.)
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If you're looking for the "Cliff
Notes" version of 100 years of Catholic social thought, try a small
paperback by three Jesuit priests -- Peter Henriot, Edward DeBerri,
and Michael Schultheis. This handy little work begins with a brief
overview of the development of social teaching. The core of the book
consists of detailed outlines of the major social teaching documents
from 1891 to 1988. All in all, it's a very convenient reference to
have.
(Purchase online.) |
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Basic Reference Works |
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Catholic Social Thought: The Documentary Heritage |
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David J. Obrien and Thomas A. Shannon,
ed.
(Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 1995.)
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Are you looking for all of the
official documents in one place? This is the most complete compendium
of Catholic social encyclicals and other official papal documents on
Catholic social teaching. Includes U.S. bishops pastoral letters on
peace and on economic justice. It is indexed by subject and author.
Available in paperback.
(Purchase Online) |
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Proclaiming Justice and Peace:
Papal Documents from Rerum Novarum through Centesimus Annus |
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Michael Walsh and Brian Davies, ed.
(Twenty-Third Publications, Mystic, Conn., 1991.)
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Another compendium of official
documents, published a few years earlier.
(Purchase
online.) |
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The New Dictionary of Catholic
Social Thought |
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Judith Dwyer, ed.
(The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., 1994.)
Provides analysis and commentary on the major social
encyclicals. Also includes discussion of major movements, figures,
themes and social issues that have been a part of Catholic social
thought for the last century. A good reference work but too expensive
for most individual readers.
(Purchase online.) |
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John Paul II: The Encyclicals in Everyday Language
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Joseph Donders, ed.
(Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 1995.)
If you want to get the content of Pope John Paul II's
encyclicals, but are put off by some of the dense prose style in the
original texts, then get a copy of this paperback. Why didn't
somebody think of this earlier?
(Ordering information)
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Commentaries |
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Catholic Social Teaching 1891-- Present:
A Historical, Theological and Ethical Analysis |
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Charles E. Curran
(Georgetown University Press, Washington D.C., 2002)
This is a must read for serious students of Catholic social
teaching. In the words of Richard P. McBrien, this is "the best
one-volume exposition and analysis of Catholic social teaching in our
time." Curran studies the methodology and content of the teaching and
provides a broad sweeping analysis of the historical development of
Catholic social thought from the perspective of ethics and theology.
An exceptional work by an exceptional ethicist.
(Order online.) |
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Option for the Poor: A Hundred Years of Vatican Social
Teaching |
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Donal Dorr
(Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 1992.)
This is an excellent commentary for those who want a more
in-depth review of the Catholic social tradition. The author reviews
the tradition thoroughly, examines historical developments in the
teaching, and lifts up the moral theme of care for the poor.
(Ordering Information.) |
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One Hundred Years of Catholic Social Thought |
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J. A. Coleman, S.J., ed.
(Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 1991)
This is an excellent collection of essays by a wide range of
authors. The six general essays or CST are especially useful. The
remainder of the book is divided into three sections that cover themes
of
1. Family, 2. Work and Economics, 4. Justice, 5. Peace Issues. |
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Preaching the Just Word |
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Walter J. Burghardt, S.J
(Yale University Press; New Haven, Conn.; 1996
Are you a preacher or a consumer of Catholic preaching who
wants to know more about why and how the Church's social teaching
should be integrated into every Sunday's homily? Try a small hardcover
book entitled by Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. He is one of the best
Catholic preachers in America, and this book is a gem.
(Order online.) |
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Official Catholic Social Teaching, Readings in Moral
Theology No. 5 |
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Charles E. Curran, Richard A. Mc Cormick S.J., Editors
(Paulist Press, NY; 1986.)
This is a rich collection of essays and commentaries on
Catholic social thought. A wide range of authors and a diverse body of
content. One of the best collections of commentaries on this topic. |
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American Catholic Social Ethics, Twentieth Century
Approaches |
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Charles E. Curran
(University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, IN; 1982.)
This work discusses Catholic social ethics in the American
context by analyzing the contributions of key individuals who helped
shape American Catholic social thought in this century. Distinct
chapters are devoted to John A. Ryan, William Engelen (Central-Verein),
Paul Hanly Furfey (Catholic Worker), John Courtney Murray, and James
W. Douglass (Catholic Peace Movement). |
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The Faith That Does Justice - Examining the Christian
Source for Social Change |
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John Haughey, ed. - 1977
(Paulist Press; New York, NY; 1977)
A very useful collection of essays by scholars such as Avery
Dulles, John Donahue, John Langan,Jr., David Hollenbach and John
Haughley. The essay by Donahue on biblical justice is an excellent
overview. The essay by Hollenbach entitled, "Modern Catholic Social
Teachings Concerning Justice" is an excellent summary. |
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Fullness of Faith |
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Michael and Kenneth Himes
(Paulist Press; Mahwah, NJ; 1993)
A very insightful work that provides theological reflection
on Catholic social thought and public theology. Notable chapters
include "Original Sin", "The Trinity and Human Rights", "Grace and a
Consistent Ethic of Life," and "The Communion of Saints and an Ethic
of Solidarity." This is a very thoughtful and inspiring work.
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Confident and Competent - A Challenge for the Lay Church |
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William L. Droel and Greg Pierce
(Ave Maria Press; Notre Dame, IN; 1987)
This small paperback provides an insightful and straight
forward challenge to lay persons to fulfill the Vatican Council’s
mandate "to be church in the world". The authors contend that lay
spirituality is based on "work in the world". Excellent brief
treatment of topics such as definition of social justice, social
teaching, and spirituality of work. (Order
online.) |
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An American Strategic Theology |
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John A. Coleman
(Paulist Press; New York; 1982)
The author presents a strong argument for the public
possibilities of the Christian gospel in contemporary American
culture. The book presents the church as a sacrament to the world, as
a community that is gathered precisely for the purpose of being sent
into the world. The first chapter, entitled "The Church's Mission to
Justice," is a very thoughtful essay on the topic.
(Order online.) |
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Claims in Conflict - Retrieving and Renewing the Catholic
Human Rights Tradition |
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David Hollenbach
(Paulist Press; New York, NY; 1979)
This is a clear and thoughtful work that summarizes and
analyzes Catholic social teaching on the topic of human rights. It
situates Catholic teaching in the context of the wider public debate
about human rights, both nationally and internationally. A very useful
work that helps interpret one of the foundational themes of the
Church’s social teachings. |
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The Moral Core of Judaism and Christianity |
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Daniel C. Maguire
(Augsburg Fortress; Minneapolis, MN; 1993)
This is a powerful and bold attempt to refute the myth that
there is no commonality in the Jewish and Christian traditions of
moral thought. The theme of justice is prominent in this work. It
provides a good opportunity to better understand CST in the wider
context of Judeo-Christian thought. (Order
online.) |
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Ownership - Early Christian Teaching |
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Charles Avila
(Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY; 1983)
This is a rich anthology of early church teachings on the
theme of ownership. Patristic writers in the third and fourth
centuries had a surprisingly radical and consistent tradition of
thought on ownership and property. Works of Clement of Alexandria,
Basil the Great, Ambrose, John Chrysostom, and Augustine are among
those included. (Order
Online.) |
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Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters |
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Walter J. Burghardt, S.J.
(Paulist Press; Mahwah, NJ; 1998)
An excellent collection of homilies by one of the Catholic
Church’s best preachers. The focus is on biblical justice and the
homilies cover a wide range of dates within the liturgical year, as
well as special events. Also includes a comprehensive index of all Fr.
Burghardt’s published homilies. (Order
online.) |
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Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and
Parent |
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Thomas Groome
Thomas More: Allen, Texas, 1998)
If you're looking for one general essay that summarizes and
explains Catholic social teaching, it's hard to beat the eighth
chapter of this recent book by Thomas Groome. This is an exceptional
work overall, and the chapter on Catholic social teaching is superb.
As the title suggests, it's directed at teachers and parents. (Order
online.) |