Living the Catholic Social Tradition: Cases and Commentary - Paperback

by William P. Bolan (Contribution by), Patrick J. Hayes (Contribution by), Monika K. Hellwig (Contribution by)

In a time when the global and national economies seem to favor so few and harm so many, when the threats to the common good are so prevalent and so deep, how do people of faith think about these issues and act with those who are most vulnerable? Living the Catholic Social Tradition: Cases and Commentary addresses these challenges through contemporary theory and research conducted within the framework of the rich Catholic social tradition. Co-editors Kathleen Maas Weigert and Alexia Kelley combine four essays from leading scholars with eight concrete case studies based on community social justice projects across the country. This unique combination of theory and reflective practice provides university students and adult learners with a framework for understanding the Catholic social tradition and a demonstration of its positive social impact on the people it serves. The reader first learns about the challenges facing Catholic universities in educating the current generation about the Catholic social tradition. The next essays provide insights into the ways in which the tradition frames and contributes to social change; approaches to understanding the key concepts and documents that make up the tradition; and an understanding of the forces confronting change agents in major metropolitan areas. Undertaken by younger scholars and activists, the eight case studies tackle the issues that grass roots groups and visionary leaders face as they try to bring about positive change in their communities. Living the Catholic Social Tradition will help readers assess and address different social justice issues within the framework of Catholic social thought. In that process, readers are called upon to think how they might not only contribute to the tradition, but develop it further, thus bringing the Catholic social tradition alive in contemporary times.

Author Biography

Kathleen Maas Weigert is the first Director of the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service and Research Professor in both the Department of Sociology & Anthropology and the Program on Justice & Peace at Georgetown University. She co-edited America's Working Poor and is one of the authors of The Search for Common Ground: What Unites and Divides Catholic Americans, which received the '1998 Award for Excellence in Research' from the National Conference of Catechetical Leaders. Alexia K. Kelley is currently Program Director at Environmental Resources Trust in Washington DC, where she focuses on partnerships to support renewable energy. For nine years she worked at the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in media, development and outreach.