Mary Ellen Konieczny is assistant professor of sociology at the
University of Notre Dame. She holds a PhD from the University of
Chicago and an MDiv from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and she
previously worked in ministry and administration for the Catholic
Archdiocese of Chicago. Her book, The Spirit’s Tether:
Family, Work, and Religion among American Catholics, is an
ethnography of liberal and conservative Catholic parishes examining
how religion and family life support and shape moral and political
polarization.
Charles C. Camosy (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is associate
professor of theology at Fordham University. His articles have
appeared in publications including American Journal of Bioethics,
Journal of the Catholic Health Association, Los Angeles Times, and
America. He is also the author of Too Expensive to Treat?, Peter
Singer and Christian Ethics, For Love of Animals, and Beyond the
Abortion Wars. He advises the Faith Outreach office of the Humane
Society and the ethics committee of Children's Hospital of New
York.
Tricia C. Bruce (PhD, University of California Santa
Barbara) is associate professor of sociology at Maryville College
and author of Faithful Revolution: How Voice of the
Faithful Is Changing the Church. Her second book (forthcoming)
explores the use of “personal parishes” in response to cultural,
ideological, and ethnic diversity among US Catholics. She also
co-leads the American Parish Project and has conducted applied
research for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Polarization is one of the gravest illnesses infecting the US
Catholic Church. In fact, Catholics often have an easier time
talking with members of other Christian denominations and other
religious traditions than with one another. Before we can
accomplish anything in our church, we must first be able to talk to
one another charitably. This book is an important step forward, as
some of the church's most thoughtful men and women lay out the
scope of the problem, consider its roots, and point to healthy and
life-giving ways to move ahead. Essential reading for Catholics in
the United States."James Martin, SJ, Author of Jesus: A
Pilgrimage
"Pope Francis reminds us that `open and fraternal debate makes
theological and pastoral thought grow.' We should welcome such
debate as evidence of a vibrant Church engaging issues at the heart
of our faith. Polarization in the US Catholic
Church advances this effort, challenging Catholics to remember
that ours is a Church of relationship rooted in love and that our
discourse must reflect that if we're to advance our evangelizing
mission."Kim Daniels, Member of the Vatican Secretariat for
Communications, Former spokesperson for the president of the US
Conference of Catholic Bishops
"The volume is a rich collection of essays that offer a diversity
of voices on the reality of polarization in the Catholic Church, a
polarization that reflects the reality of the broader American
reality. The essays offer wisdom drawn from personal experiences of
polarization brought to bear on the expertise of religious leaders,
academics, and advocates. I encourage anyone interested not only in
understanding the phenomenon of polarization in the Church but also
in finding insights into strategies to address it to pick up this
book. The honest assessments of the wounds in our Church and
society are coupled with genuine hope for healing grounded in the
various authors' experiences of working toward creating the space
for genuine dialogue. This volume is a gift to those of us who long
to help create such spaces. It was truly a pleasure to read this
work. I intend to bring different essays into my various classes,
work with students, and conversations with colleagues."Catherine
Punsalan-Manlimos, PhD; Malcolm and Mari Stamper Endowed Chair in
Catholic Intellectual and Cultural Traditions; Director, Institute
for Catholic Thought and Culture; Associate Professor, Theology and
Religious Studies, Seattle University
"A must-read for anyone trying to assess where the church is today
and needs to go to be credible in the future."Kevin W. Irwin,
Catholic University of America
"On the whole, this is a very insightful and hopeful volume, truly
relevant to the concerns facing the Church today. It calls us to
remember that our similarities are greater than our differences,
that as Catholics we truly are a big-tent organization. I commend
the conference organizers for starting this dialogue, and as a
reader, I hope to see it continue."Vox Nova, Jeannine Marie
Dymphna
"Given the diversity of opinions on the nature and extent of the
topic, this is a good purchase for academic and parish
libraries."Daniel Boice, Catholic Library World
"The book provides the opportunity to unite friends, companions,
and all who share their thoughts and experiences, to join in
reflecting on how engaging those with different views on
controversial issues might challenge each reader to revise and
incorporate new understandings of the issues that divide
them."SirReadaLot.org
"This short collection of essays does an excellent job of shining a
light on the problem of polarization in the US Catholic Church.
Most of the essays here are quite accessible, so this relatively
short volume could be utilized fruitfully in a variety of ecclesial
and educational contexts. At the local level, Catholics could
perhaps benefit most from this work by organizing parish-based
discussion groups that commit to engaging on a weekly basis the
various topics addressed by the contributors."Ryan
Marr, Catholic Books Review
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