Why the Catholic Church Must Change A Necessary Conversation [Hardcover]

Its title suggests another philippic against an intransigent Catholic Church, but the book is something much better. Ralph is as concerned to show readers that the present-day church can change, not just that it should change. Ever so refreshingly, she draws only on scripture and official church documents to make her case and names names only as sources. She establishes the grounds for change via papal pronouncements on biblical interpretationthe church reads the Bible contextually, not fundamentallyand on observing the proper domains of different methods of learning; for example, theology deals with spiritual reality, whereas the sciences deal with physical reality. She makes cases for change in three chapters on issues that concern both non-Catholics as well as Catholics: contraception, discrimination against women, and the civil rights of homosexuals. Four chapters focus on the effectiveness of Catholic teaching and practice about abortion, marriage and annulment, social justice (especially in Catholic workplaces), and Christian unity. She writes straightforwardly, in common language, with the love of Paul (1 Cor. 13:48a), which is not irritable or resentful, but endures all things. Simply invaluable.With orderly precision, Ralph (pastoral studies, Lexington Theological Seminary, KY; And God Said What?) presents a substantial discussion guide on major issues of debate within the Roman Catholic Church today: contraception, womens ordination, homosexuality, abortion, marriage/annulments, social justice, and ecumenism. Long a diocesan leader in religious studies, she here quotes both scripture and official Church documents to show changes over time in magisterial teaching, given the emergence of new scientific knowledge and cultural shifts. She explains that inconsistency between word and action among some Church authorities has produced a credibility gap for the faithful today that continues to get a great deal of attention, and diminishes the greater good ld