Moral Debates in Contemporary Catholic Thought: Paradigms, Principles, and Prudence

Description

How do we navigate a morally complex world? How do we know how to do the right thing, especially when so many voices are clamoring for our attention, telling us that they have the full truth of just what the “right thing” is, and what it requires of us? James T. Bretzke, S.J., one of most lucid interpreters of the Catholic tradition writing today, helps students morally analyze a wide range of controversial and contested issues in society today through the use of principles, paradigms, and the cardinal virtue of prudence. After introducing the approach of principled prudence, drawing on Thomas Aquinas, Catholic Social Teaching, and other sources, Bretzke engages a range of moral considerations in the following chapters: the death penalty, abortion, gender, immigration and border security, welfare, economics, and faithful citizenship. In the concluding chapter, Bretzke surveys our current political landscape, and its attendant culture wars, and suggests a possible path forward drawing on the central moral concept of the common good. While politics has often been described as the “art of compromise,” U.S. society seems to be short of such artists today. Bretzke, a master of moral theology, gives students the tools to better interpret and assess critical issues—and to appreciate the depth of the Catholic tradition’s wisdom on such issues. Ideal for classroom use, including such courses as Catholic ethics, theological ethics, and moral theology, this text illuminates the core moral principles that deal with moral discernment in an imperfect and increasingly polarized world.Each chapter includes case studies, questions for reflection and discussion, and resources for further reading. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Prologue Chapter 1: Paradigms of Principled Prudence in the Catholic Moral Tradition Thomas Aquinas’s Paradigm for Moving from Principles to Prudence Prudence and Casuistry Case Study 1: Bad Principles, Problematic Policy, and Imprudent Laws: Missouri House Bill 2810 Prudence in Law and Principles Questions for Reflection and Discussion Notes Resource for Further Study Chapter 2: The Death Penalty: A Principled Prudence Perspective Development of Moral Doctrine on Capital Punishment Reactions to the Church’s Reformulated Teaching on the Death Penalty Case Study: Catholic Attorney General William Barr’s Resuming Federal Executions The Legal Arguments Barr Advances The Legal Arguments Barr Advances The Moral Arguments about Church Teaching that Barr Advances Responding to the Moral Arguments about Church Teaching that Barr Advances Questions for Reflection and Discussion on the Death Penalty Notes Resources for Further Study Chapter 3: Abortion Politics in the Post-Roe World: A Principled Prudence Perspective The Church in the Modern World: Joy and Hope, Grief and Anguish The Consistent Ethic of Life Common Ground Initiative From Clinton to Clinton: “Safe, Legal, and Rare” to “Fundamental Human Right” “Wafer Wars”: On Denying Communion to Pro-choice Politicians and/or Voters Canons 915 and 916 “Manifest Grave Sin” Church Voices against Weaponizing the Eucharist Reconsidering What It Means to Be Genuinely “Pro-Life” in the Post-Roe Era The Law of Unintended Consequences? A Church that Listens as It Teaches: The Example of Archbishop Weakland’s Abortion “Listening Sessions” Case Study: What Does It Mean Politically to Be “Pro-Choice”? Questions for Reflection and Discussion Notes Resources for Further Study Chapter 4: Gender Debates: A Principled Prudence Paradigm Same-Sex Orientation as a Sexual Modality in Development of Church Teaching Principles and Pastoral Prudence Transgender Identity as a Sexual Modality Case Study: Worcester Nativity Middle School Conclusion Questions for Reflection and Discussion Notes Resources for Further Study Chapter 5: Immigration and Border Security Challenges: Perspectives from Catholic Social Teaching Migration, Immigration, and Border Security: Catholic Social Teaching Perspectives As Bishop DiMarzio explains, Texas’ “Hold the Line” Border Initiative The Economy, Common Good, and Social Welfare: Catholic Social Teaching Perspectives Foundational Tenets of Catholic Economic Ethics “Privilege” Difficulties and Strategies Emotional Conversion Case Study: “Build the Wall and Build It Tall!” Engaging Students in Social Justice Issues Classroom-Related Resources and In-Class Activities31 Reflections on the Student Reflection Postings Conclusion Questions for Reflection and Discussion on Economic and Social Justice for All Notes Resources for Further Study Chapter 6: Exercise of Faithful Citizenship: A Principled Prudence Perspective Reflecting on the First Anniversary of the 2022 Dobbs SCOTUS Decision “Pre-Eminent” Issues and Hierarchy of Values Applying Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship in a Morally Complex World Case Study: “Catholic” [sic] Voting Guides for Faithful Citizenship Questions for Reflection and Discussion Notes Resources for Further Study Chapter 7: New Paradigms of Principled Prudence in a Divided World Applying the Ignatian Presupposition Pope Francis’ Papal Paradigms as a Touchstone for Ethical Analysis Tribal Binaries which Bind: Good vs. Evil Polarization as a Key Challenge in the Church and Society Today Ignatian Rules for Discernment and Thinking with the Church Synodality as an Alternative Methodology Pope Francis and the Cultural Polyhedron Case Study: Interpretations of Fiducia Supplicans Vatican Declaration on Blessings What Is the Declaration All About? A Cross-Section of Reactions to Fiducia Supplicans Conclusion: Synodality as a Principled and Prudent Paradigm Questions for Reflection and Discussion Notes Resources for Further Study Glossary Index About the Author