Catholic Social Teaching and Movements

by Marvin L. Krier Mich

This introductory book to Catholic social teaching covers not only the official documents and encyclicals but also gives a sense of the movements and people who embodied the struggle for social... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 089622936X
• ISBN13: 9780896229365
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Twenty-Third Publications
• Length: 475 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Good Historical Overview, Marred at Times by Personal Views

I was lent a copy of Dr. Mich's Book by my undergraduate theology advisor in order to prepare a bit for a conference I was attending for the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the writing of Laborem Exercens. Unbeknownst to both me and my former advisor, Dr. Mich was attending the conference and was to give a brief lecture. Had I not met Dr. Mich and discussed several subjects about his book with him, I would be much more apt to give the text a 3 out of 5 for reasons discussed above. However, in the course of my questions and discussion with Dr. Mich, he helped to recant the reservations which I had about his views on some conservative and Papal view-points. On a positive note, this text has a great review of hallmark texts and individuals in modern Catholic Social thought. It traces from the roots of Rerum Novarum through the publication of the book, including such contemporary topics as feminism and environmentalism. The earliest chapters are magnificent overviews of those individuals involved in work movements as well as theorists. Through the documents of the Second Vatican Council (primarily Gaudium et Spes), Dr. Mich remains relatively fair in his assessment of all sides of the situation. If there is one negative assessment here, it may be that there isn't as much reflection on the integration of Catholic Social Thought with the remainder of systematic theology. Nonetheless, these topics are covered with enough depth to introduce key players and events (both European and those in the Americas) but with enough brevity to allow the reader to quickly see the "big picture" of the development of Catholic Social Though. My one major issue with this text, however, became more conspicuous as Dr. Mich covered the semi-tumultuous issues surrounding African-American integration into the American Church. An element of anti-institutionalism began to surface here by means of what seems to me to have been a disproportionately negative view of the Church based more on anecdotes and not the theological underpinnings of the Faith. Individual discrepancies at times become the lens through which he views the Church as a whole and nearly judges the Church's essence on this presupposition. While I thought this interpretation might be a bit over the top, his handling of Liberation theology, Feminism, Environmentalism, and the South American Episcopal Synod was more than slanted and belligerent toward the hierarchy of the church. This is particularly the case in the Synod and an NCCB document on women in the Church. Any imposition of authority from above is interpreted very unfairly without much positive consideration given to the accused parties. However, in conversation with the author, he did somewhat mediate the tone which I found to be a bit too acerbic in the text of the book. I can see where someone with more liberal-leaning tendencies would have a tone like that which he had and remain faithful to the Church. However, without the backgro

Very Complete

This book is great. It explores the ideas of Catholic Social Teaching from not only the official papal encyclicals, but also from unofficial drafts of encyclicals, letters of the bishops, grass roots movements by lay Catholics, and the processes which all of these have gone through to be formed. Mich has done a thorough job and allows one to truly appreciate the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching that most people know so little about. It also opens up the doors to many currently hot topics and critiques what the church has done so far and where it could go in the future. A great book that anyone who has the time should read!

BEST KEPT SECRET

Though this is not a book I would normally read, I did enjoy it. It was assigned for a college course that I was taking. In the Introduction it states that the "social teachings" of the catholic church are its best kept secret and I agree. I never knew it had such a deep tradition in social teachings. It goes back to 1848 and finishes off in 1992. I never knew the history of the catholic church like it is shown here. It also illustrates the many roles activists played, many of them were women. Not only does it show the history of the church, but it can help one to better handle their own situations in the present world and be strong. A book that will ope the eyes of many and be enjoyed by all. It is not just for Catholics, everyone should read this book.