The Catholic Moral Tradition Today

Significant and worthwhile both because of what it accomplishes - a coherent and insightful scholarly 'tour' and synthesis of the complex landscape of contemporary Catholic moral theology - and because of who has written it - the text reflects a career's worth of astute scholarly and pastoral study and reflection on the matters it treats. -- Christine Firer Hinze, associate professor of theology, Marquette University A superb piece of scholarship and synthesis of contemporary Catholic morality. I foresee this book being used widely as a textbook or required reading in schools of theology. -- Richard M. Gula, SS, Franciscan School of Theology This magisterial presentation of the Catholic moral tradition is the work of one of the greatest 20th century moral theologians ... It is the distillation of his life's work. -- J. Philip Wogaman, senior minister, Foundry United Methodist Church

The Catholic tradition has always tried to explain its theology in a systematic way, but the great changes and tensions existing within Catholic moral theology today have made it difficult to develop systematic approaches. This title points out agreements, disagreements, and changes in significant aspects of the Catholic moral tradition.The Catholic tradition has always tried to explain its theology in a coherent and systematic way, but the great changes and tensions existing within Catholic moral theology today have made it difficult to develop systematic approaches to what was once called fundamental moral theology. Now a leading scholar active in this field for forty years offers a synthesis of Catholic moral theology set in the context of the broader Catholic tradition and the significant developments that have occurred since the Second Vatican Council. Charles E. Curran's succinct, coherent account of his wide-ranging work in Catholic moral theology points out agreements, disagreements, and changes in significant aspects of the Catholic moral tradition. His systematic approach explores major topics in a logical development: the ecclesiological foundation and stance of moral theology; the person as moral subject and agent; virtues, principles and norms; conscience and decision making; and, the role of the church as a teacher of morality. Curran's work condenses and organizes a large amount of material to show that the Catholic theological tradition is in dialogue with contemporary life and thought while remaining conscious of its rich history. Of great interest to theologians for its broad synthetic scope, this book is also a thorough introduction to the Catholic moral tradition for students and interested readers, including non-Catholics.