The moral theology of Pope John Paul II /
Charles E. Curran.
- Washington, D.C. : Georgetown University Press, 2005.
- xi, 262 pages ; 23 cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Theological Presuppositions -- Ethical Foundations and Method -- Conscience, Human Acts, and Human Life -- Marriage, Sexuality, Gender, and family -- Social Teaching
Pope John paul II is the second-longest serving-pope in history and the longest-serving pope of the last century. His presence has thrown a long shadow across our time, and his influence on Catholics and non-Catholics throughout analysis of the moral theology that underlines his moral teachings and its astonishing influence. And no one is better positioned to do this than Charles E. Curran, widely recognized as the leading American Catholic moral theologian. Curran focuses on the authoritative statements, specifically the fourteen papal encyclicals the pope has written over the past twenty-five years, to examine how well the pope has addressed the broad issues and problems in the church today. Curran begins with a discussion of the theological presuppositions of John Paul II's moral teaching and moral theology. Subsequent chapters address his theological methodology, his ethical methodology, and his understanding of human life. Finally, Curran deals with the specific issues of globalization, marriage, conscience, human acts, and the many issues involved in social and sexual ethics. Brilliantly constructed and fearlessly argued, this will be the definitive measure of Pope John Paul II's moral theology for years to come.