The Ministry of Law in the Church Today [Paperback]

Kevin E. McKenna (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Chancellor of the Diocese of Rochester, NY, and professor of pastoral studies at St. Bernard's Institute, McKenna offers a positive examination of modern Church law and canonical tradition, treating the law as a needed ministry of service and communion and emphasizing the rights of all members. Historical perspective informs his review of post-Vatican II developments on practical issues such as human rights, confidentiality of church records, annulments, collaborative pastoral planning through diocesan synods, and reconciliation via alternative dispute resolution. The gospel injunction to use a variety of gifts in the same spirit underlies the law. A synodal survey from the Diocese of Rochester is included, along with practical suggestions. Recommended for Catholic collections serving pastoral needs and for laity seeking current information on the reasoning behind Church law today.?Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press; 1 edition (March 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0268014426
• ISBN-13: 978-0268014421
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,216,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written Treatise, June 1, 2000

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Patricia M. Dugan "Patricia M. Dugan" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ministry of Law in the Church Today (Paperback)

This book is a beautifully written treatise on man-legislated law in the Roman Catholic Church today. It includes an invaluable historical perspective that could be complete all on its own. Father McKenna uses the ever controversial issues of confidentiality, marriage annulment and human rights, to explore the concepts of law underlying the complex workings of this universal church. Catholic Canon Law, set out in the Code of Canon Law, is probably the only universal system of law in the world. Despite the global nature and dimensions of our world today, that is a complicated concept. This dessertation sets out the map for the basic concepts and leaves the reader hoping Father McKenna explores more such issues in the future.