Moral Debates in Contemporary Catholic Thought by Bretzke, James;

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A lucid introduction to Catholic moral theology with individual chapters exploring such controversial issues as abortion, the death penalty, gender, economics, immigration, and more.

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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.\

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Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations Used
Prologue: What Is Moral Truth, and How Can We Come to Know It?
Chapter 1 Paradigms of Principled Prudence in the Catholic Moral Tradition
Overview of Principles in Light of Paradigms and Prudence in Moral Analysis
Thomas Aquinas' Paradigm for Moving from Principles to Prudence
Prudence and Casuistry
Case Study 1: Bad Principles, Problematic Policy, Imprudent Laws: Missouri House Bill 2810
Prudence in Law and Principles
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
For Further Reading
Chapter 2: Death Penalty in a Principled Prudence Perspective
Introduction
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
Responding to 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
Resources For Further Study
Chapter 3: Abortion Politics in the Post-Roe World in a Principled Prudence Perspective
Chapter Overview and Introduction
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 Chapter 3: What Does It Mean Politically to be ""Pro-Choice""?
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Resources for Further Study
Chapter 4: Gender Debates in a Principled Prudence Paradigm
Introduction
Same-Sex Orientation as a Sexual Modality in Development of Church Teaching
Principles and Pastoral Prudence
Transgender Identity as a Sexual Modality
Gender Test Case: Worcester Nativity Middle School
Conclusion
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Resources for Further Study
Chapter 5: Catholic Social Teaching Perspectives on Immigration and Border Security Challenges
Catholic Social Teaching Perspectives on Migration, Immigration, and Border Security
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 Activities
Reflections on the Student Reflection Postings
Conclusion
Questions for Reflection and Discussion on Economic and Social Justice for All
Resources For Further Study
Chapter 6: Exercise of Faithful Citizenship in a Principled Prudence Perspective
Introduction
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
Resources for Further Study
Chapter 7: New Paradigms of Principled Prudence in a Divided World
Introduction and Overview
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
Final 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
Resources for Further Study
Glossary of Key Terms
Scripture Referenced
Index
About the Author