The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism (Hardcover)

by Richard P. McBrien (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
This book will be of interest to public and academic libraries needing an update to the New Catholic Encyclopedia (McGraw-Hill, 1967; supplements: 1974, 1979, 1989). It is aimed at the layperson, both Catholic and non-Catholic. Provided are simple definitions for terms, longer entries for broader subjects, and 29 feature articles of several pages each (e.g., Bible, The Papacy). The latter articles are sometimes not in exact alphabetical order but are listed in the table of contents.

McBrien, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, commissioned more than 4,500 entries on Catholic doctrine, worship, history, culture, art, literature, and biblical scholarship. There are entries on Catholicism in various countries, biographies, information on other religions, and discussions of complex moral and social issues. Such diverse subjects as Transubstantiation, the Shroud of Turin, Mother Teresa, Limbo, the Soviet pseudosynods of the 1940s, and various apparitions of the Virgin Mary are covered, along with such nonreligious topics as Romanticism, Big Bang Theory, Relativity, and Phenomenology. All entries are signed, and pronunciation is provided when necessary. Bibliographies conclude lengthier entries. Parallel time lines of world history and of Catholicism open the book. Black-and-white photographs and line drawings accompany some entries; there are two inserts of color photographs. Maps and tables (e.g., "Liturgical Calendar" ) are also featured. There is no index, but see also references direct the reader to related articles.

While this is not an official publication of Notre Dame, a large number of contributing editors are faculty members there. There is representation from other religious authorities, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. Information is presented objectively, and controversies are handled in a straightforward manner. Such heretical movements as quietism and simony (the buying and selling of church offices) are defined in historical and social context. The lengthy article Women in the Church acknowledges that "The Church gets mixed reviews for its treatment of women over the centuries." Entries such as Birth Control and Ordination of Women note that there is division within the church on these topics.

This work will be helpful in providing answers for reference questions that range from the relatively trivial (Seven Deadly Sins) to the complex (Bioethics, God). With the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Doubleday, 1994) and John Paul II's Crossing the Threshold of Hope (Knopf, 1994) on recent best-seller lists, there will be a large audience for this excellent encyclopedia.

Product Description
With 1 billion Catholics in the world -- and 57 million in the United States alone -- Catholicism is the world's most familiar religion. Yet many facets of this varied and dynamic tradition remain unknown or poorly understood. Now The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism offers a one-volume comprehensive and authoritative guide to the people, doctrines, history, worship, art, spirituality, literature, theological developments, and changes that have shaped the Church over nearly two millennia.

Led by general editor Richard P. McBrien, bestselling author of Catholicism, an editorial team drawn almost entirely from the University of Notre Dame has collected more than 4,200 entries written by 280 leading experts from around the world and across the theological spectrum, including Benedict Ashley, Gerald O'Collins, Sandra B. Schneiders, Hans Küng, Walter H. Principe, Elizabeth Johnson, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Virgilio Elizondo, Catherine Mowry LaCugna, Robert F. Taft, Peter Hebblethwaite, Dermot A. Lane, Francis A. Sullivan, Robert F. Trisco, and John Strynkowski. A concise reference for understanding Catholic terms such as vigil light and maniple, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism also offers superb feature-length entries on subjects ranging from the seven sacraments, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter, Paul, Augustine, and Aquinas to prayer and Christian spirituality, Catholicism in the United States, women in the Church, and Vatican II.

Treating Catholicism as a unique tradition, community, and way of life, the encyclopedia defines and describes topics such as Eastern Catholicism, canon law, devotions, religious orders and lay organizations, and saints, angels, and archangels. Also included are tables of the liturgical calendar, ecumenical councils, and a list of all the popes, complete with a brief biography of each.

A convenient and reliable source of information regarding every aspect of Catholicism, past and present, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism covers the controversy and dissent within the Church as well as its teachings and beliefs, providing a balanced and unparalleled resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Catholic life.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1349 pages
• Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; 1st edition (May 12, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060653388
• ISBN-13: 978-0060653385
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #502,528 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars McBrien and His Team Have Performed a Great Service, August 5, 2003

By	John P. (Kennett Square, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Since I received this book from Amazon last week, I have had real trouble setting it aside. Not only does it contain a staggering amount of information; it also is beautifully produced and intelligently written.

First, it is huge, a good thing for any encyclopedia -- 1300 pages and over 4,000 entries. It is full of pictures: photos of important individuals and sites, reproductions of famous artwork, and explanatory drawings. Major topics, such as each of the sacraments, are covered in long, well-organized essays. And all the details indicate that this project was undertaken with the seriousness and dedication it deserves: the entries are cross-referenced, helpful bibliographies follow many entries, boldface subheads break up and organize the longer entries, bylines are provided after the more analytical entries, a complete list of contributors with their affiliations is provided, pronunciations are given for unfamiliar terms -- I could go on and on.

But most impressive to me is the care with which the entries are written. The writing is aimed at the intelligent non-specialist, someone who has the curiosity and mental vigor to want to hear the various sides of difficult issues. Clearly, some Amazon reviewers were distressed that the book does not simply say, "The Church teaches X," and leave it at that. The book *does* say where the Church stands on various issues (insofar as it has taken a stance), AND the book *also* tells us what other opinions have been and are held by important thinkers and in repsected circles.

Take for example the entry on homosexuality, which other reviewers here have singled out. It was written by Michael Place, Research Theologian to the Curia, Archdiocese of Chicago. The entry expressly tells us that "Traditionally Catholic teaching has grounded its understanding of human sexuality in the Genesis vision of man and woman," and that "On several occasions the Church's hierarchical magisterium has rejected" liberal doctrines in this area. And, for those who want to know more than what the "blackletter law" is, the entry also discusses those liberal doctrines and how attitudes about, and scientific understanding of, homosexuality have developed.

Some Catholic readers apparently do not want the added information; they would prefer a series of cut-and-dried pronouncements without a dangerous idea in sight. Perhaps some Catholic readers also would prefer that a Catholic encyclopedia proclaim in no uncertain terms why their priest or their co-parishioners are heretical corner-cutters. To its credit, that is not what this book provides.

If you want to *understand* Catholicism rather than put your God-given reason on autopilot, this book is for you. Buy it. It is well worth every penny.

30 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive Reference for the Thinking Christian, November 22, 1999

By	Charles J Caes (Warrenton, Va. USA) - See all my reviews

This is a fine companion to McBrien's "Catholicism: New Study." McBrien has always been fearless in rising above elementary explanations for the relationship between man and God, and once again he takes us on a fantastic journey into both Catholic religion and Catholic theology. He takes you to the pillars of Chrisitianity, to its sensibleness as well as its spirituality. The piece on "hell" is only one example. Hell, the author of the piece writes, is not a place but a state of existence. "It is the the eternal loss of God.... While moral theologians have perhaps been careless over the centuries in designating certain actions as morally sinful, the church has never taught that anyone has, in fact, died in such a state..... It is not God who tortures the sinner, but the sinner who rejects God." There are countless more insightful treatments of Christian theology in this reference, and the inquiring mind will be forever flattered that McBrien and his writers never underestimate the reader.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EVEN SELF-CONTRADICTORY CAPITALIST CATHOLICS MUST FIND 1400 PAGES FOR TEN BUCKS A GOOD DEAL, October 18, 2006

By	C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" (among us humans) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

My problem with this book is putting it down. Not that a three and a half pound book is normally physically difficult to drop, but this tome is so engrossing that long nights quickly pass in the reading of it.

If you must work the next day, struggle not to declare an old night prayer vigil with it, especially if you operate heavy machinery in my area. Seriously, faithful, this large and comprehensive study deserves it requisite ten by seven by three inch space on your bookshelf next to the New Jerome Biblical Commentary and the REv. Father McBrien's other well-known magnus opus Catholicism, along of course with all your hagiography by Sr. Ita Ford, Dorothy Day, the Jesuit Most Rev. and learned Fathers Daniel Berrigan, John Dear, Fr. Ellacuria and Jon Sobrino, alongside of course Fr. Thomas Merton, Fr. Matthew Fox, Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, the Brothers Boff, Father Ernesto Cardenal, Father Hans Kung (represented here with his wonderful questioning in this great Encyclopedia), Sr. Joan Chittister, etc. etc., all available here on amazon for less than the price of shipping (except for one of Fr. Sobrino's most intriguing brief articles which here costs over ten dollars a page!). At under ten bucks this Encyclopedia is the best buy on the mighty amazon, as well as the most orthodox and comprehensive work on Roman Catholicism. I only wish the Search Inside service were active for this tremendous tome.

Briefly this great Catholic reference work is similar to any Encyclopedia in that it contains items on just about every related to the topic, which is Catholicism, apparent from the title of this work. Not only are there brief items on just about every topic having to do with Catholicism, but there are also extended articles which run several pages on major topics. There are also mid sized items as well. Each of these items are written by a renowned and recognized expert in the field; in fact there are hundreds of contributers as well as the Reverend Father Richard P. McBrien who serves as editor in chief for this essential Catholic reference work, which is a joy in itself to read. Get lost in it!