A Brief Apology for a Catholic Moment

“This book deserves the fullest attention of all who care about the future of democracy. Writing for people of secular conviction as much as for people of faith, Marion offers a powerful thesis: If we are to overcome our current societal struggles and political impasses and find any kind of shared future, Christianity represents an irreplaceable public voice. In particular, Catholicism offers cultural resources the world needs in order to face this moment. But to offer that gift successfully, Catholics must be more truly Catholic.” -- Richard L. Wood, author of Faith in Action: Religion, Race, and Democratic Organizing in America
“A rich and comprehensive philosophical analysis of Catholicism in contemporary France. And yet, the questions Marion raises have significance for Catholics globally, as they also assess the relationship of their faith to the public sphere. Through its insights on separation, crisis, communion and more, A Brief Apology for a Catholic Moment is guaranteed to shape the philosophical imagination of its readers.” -- Maureen K. Day, author of Catholic Activism Today: Personal Transformation and the Struggle for Social Justice
"Rich in resources for reflection . . .  Marion. . . help[s] us see how Catholics in an increasingly post-Christian society might bear witness to their faith without bitterness or nostalgia—and perhaps even with joy." * Commonweal Magazine *
"In this short and. . . accessible book, [Marion] writes for a more general readership, addressing the role (or rather, the possible role) of the Catholic Church in French culture. . . . The Church, he argues, is uniquely situated to pull French society out of its decadence with its call to repentance and communion. Many readers will find his argument attractive, others will consider it implausible, and still others will think they have heard it before, in other contexts. But all will find it an interesting new chapter in the development of Marion's thought. . . . Recommended." * Choice *
"In a public discussion of the fate of France that has too often lacked the nuance and substance befitting the issues, Marion’s intervention distinguishes itself as a work of acuity." * Journal of Religion *
"Jean-Luc Marion’s work in phenomenology, history of philosophy, and Catholic theology is distinguished by meticulous research, rigorous argument, and the promotion of bold and often provocative claims. The present work, a rare incursion into social and political debate, is no exception. In three accessible chapters, [Marion] takes up the relationship between being Catholic and being French, the closely related theme laïcité in France, and the importance of community and communion." * Theological Studies *