Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (Paperback)

by Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace (Author) "Throughout the course of her history, and particularly in the last hundred years, the Church has never failed, in the words of Pope Leo XIII,..." (more)
Key Phrases: John Paul, Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Catechism of the Catholic Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is a 'concise but complete overview of the Church's social teaching' which runs some 225 pages. The principles of the many factes of Catholic social work are specified 'to sustain and foster the activity of Catholics in the social sector, especially the activity of the lay faithful.' There's no guidance on the practicalities or pragmatics of realizing the principles; the 'Compendium' is not a how-to. Parts of it are almost theological in tone, e.g., 'God's Plan and the Mission of the Church.' And other parts such as those dealing with the 'way of love' or alluding to the 'new Heaven' and the 'new earth' are visionary and inspirational. Half a dozen or more footnotes on every page point to historical or doctrinal bases for the principles; most of which are found in papal encyclicals. The family, peace, human rights, work, and politics are major sections. An 'Analytical Index' of 150 pages takes one to any particular topic one is looking for. The format is each of the numerous social principles in italics followed by brief commentary in regular type. The 'Compendium' is not only a comprehensive new edition gathering Catholic doctrine relating to social work. With recurring references to moral issues raised by advances in medicine, globalization, and other contemporary matters, it carries these principles into today's world and its central social development." (Henry Berry Reviewer's Bookwatch )

"The book's 250 pages of carefully selected quotations from ancient and modern documents are wonderfully indexed by sources (25 pp.) and by vigorous topics and inviting subtopics (165 pp.). For achieving peace, there are so many connections, either in place or waiting to be made." (Rev. Philip C. Fischer, S.J. Review for Religious )

"The new Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, released in March in the United States, makes it unmistakably clear that the Church proposes something much more profound -- a vision of the human person and society rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ...the Compendium, the first document of its kind...Its 12 chapters seek to cover the breadth of human experience through time: God's plan of love for humanity; the Church's mission and social doctrine; the human person and human rights; principles of the Church's social doctrine; the family, the vital cell of society; human work; economic life; the political community; the international community; safguarding the environment; the promotion of peace and social doctrine and ecclesial action." (John L. Allen Jr. Columbia: Online Edition )

Product Description
The Church has a timeless, long-standing body of social doctrine that is known, lived, and shared by Catholics in many faith-filled ways. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a unique, unprecedented document in the history of the Church, serves as a tool to inspire and guide the faithful who are faced with moral and pastoral challenges daily. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church is divided into five sections, an introduction, three parts, and a conclusion entitled For a Civilization of Love. The first part deals with the fundamental presuppositions of social doctrine-God's plan of love for humanity and society, the Church's mission and the nature of social doctrine, the human person and human rights, and the principles and values of social doctrine. The second part deals with the contents and classical themes of social doctrine- the family, human work, economic life, the political community, the international community, the environment and peace. The third part contains a series of recommendations for the use of social doctrine in the pastoral activity of the Church and in the life of Christians, above all, the laity. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church is a must-have resource for leaders of social ministry at the diocesan and parish level as well as those in religious education, school, and youth and young adult ministry.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: USCCB Publishing (March 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574556924
• ISBN-13: 978-1574556926
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,394 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Truthful, Necessary Teaching, August 31, 2005

By	S. C. Phelan "AZ Catholic" (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Be warned that this amazing work is not a page-turning history of this often-neglected and rich history of Catholic Social Teaching. It reads like a John Paul II encyclical, in both its circular, thorough, hypnotic approach to the many aspects of the teaching as well as the sense one gets that one is witnessing transcendent Truth.

Overstatement? Perhaps. I admit to being a huge fan of JPII, but I'm a bigger fan of the One he served so faithfully. I have also had the ability to work full-time in the area of social justice in a faithfully Catholic organization and have often been dismayed by the misunderstandings that many have of Catholic Social Teaching.

There seems to be a large group of non-Catholic or semi-Catholic people who do great work "in the trenches" serving as Christ has called us all to do, but often do so with a hostility toward the Church and her teachings. There also seems to be another group of Catholics who are faithful in general to the Church's sacraments and moral teachings, but don't take the Church's call to solidarity with the poor very seriously. Christ's admonitions to both types of people are easy to find in the Gospel, so there is little need to go into that here, but this volume gives a wake up call to all of us if we will hear it.

If you are Catholic, then you are called to be with and serve those who need our help (Solidarity and Subsidiarity - two key principles). It is not for us to choose to let government do it (sorry, Socialists), to serve with bitter revolutionary intent (ditto, Marxists), or to simply insulate ourselves from the less fortunate, sick and needy with material wealth (sound familiar anyone?). If you are not Catholic, then this work still has a wealth of beautiful ideas that can be shared and can serve as a rallying point for those of different faith traditions.

Whatever you do, it MUST be centered on Christ. This work makes that beautifully clear without singling out anyone. It would be a great subject for group study, or for anyone who would like to understand the depths of the Church's tradition. We have greatly missed the point of JPII's papacy and teachings if we only found in them our preconceived opinions or the expected dogmatic defensiveness. The message that we are called to be Gift to one another as Christ is for the Church is one that we should all hear, and it glows out of every page in this book.

So, yeah, I guess I'd recommend it.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Compendium of Catholic Social Teaching, March 24, 2005

By	Glenn S. Leach "Glenn" (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unique and valuable reference for anyone, Catholic or not, who would like a systematic concept of the theology of social doctrine. While less useful to non-Catholic readers due to its extensive use and references to church documents, its cross references to scripture and general theological/practical content is unique in my experience. Although the publisher's remarks give the reading level as young adult, I would rate it just a notch higher. It is very readable, but has an extensive vocabularly that at times involves words and comments more common to ecclesiastical documents than general reading.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catholic doctrine on wide range of subjects and issues, April 30, 2005

By	Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The "concise but complete overview of the Church's social teaching" runs some 225 pages. The principles of the many facets of Catholic social work are specified "to sustain and foster the activity of Catholics in the social sector, especially the activity of the lay faithful." There's no guidance on the practicalities or pragmatics of realizing the principles; the "Compendium" is not a how-to. Parts of it are almost theological in tone, e. g., "God's Plan and the Mission of the Church." And other parts such as those dealing with the "way of love" or alluding to the "new heaven" and the "new earth" are visionary and inspirational. Half a dozen or more footnotes on every page point to historical or doctrinal bases for the principles; most of which are found in papal encyclicals. The family, peace, human rights, work, and politics are major sections. An "Analytical Index" of 150 pages takes one to any particular topic one is looking for. The format is each of the numerous social principles in italics followed by brief commentary in regular type. The "Compendium" is not only a comprehensive new edition gathering Catholic doctrine relating to social work. With recurring references to moral issues raised by advances in medicine, globalization, and other contemporary matters, it carries these principles into today's world and its central social developments.