Catholic Moral Theology and Social Ethics

BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER, COLLEGE THEOLOGY SOCIETY

WINNER, CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION BOOK AWARD - THEOLOGY 3rd Place

This book recasts our understanding of the disciplines of moral theology and social ethics by drawing from the wealth of the entire theological enterprise, including scripture, systematic theology, Catholic social teaching and Ignatian spirituality.

Christina Astorga structures her new method in terms of vision, norm, and choice.  Moral vision, shaped by culture, religion, scriptures, and systematic theology, is the wellspring from which morality flows.  Moral norms, as grounded in Catholic social teachings, mediate moral vision toward choice and action.  Directed by an integrated ethical methodology for conflict situations, moral choice which incarnates moral vision and norm is brought into the illumination of spiritual discernment.

"Striking original work...incisive, spiritually attuned, globally sensitive."

-Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Moral Theology, Boston College

"A summa of post-Vatican II Catholic moral theology and social ethics, this magisterial work...offers a creative synthesis of Catholic moral thinking today."

-Roger Haight, S.J., Union Theological Seminary

Christina A. Astorga was Chair of the Theology Department of the Ateneo de Manila University-Loyola Schools.  After fellowships at Boston College and Georgetown University and visitng professorships at the University of San Diego and Canisius College, she became founding director of the Center for the Study of Catholic Social Thought at Dusquesne University.  She completed her new book as a Visiting Research Scholar at Fordham University.  She is currently teaching Christian Ethics and Christian Medical  Ethics at Gonzaga University.