Essential Catholic Social Thought

Book excerpt: This book provides a broad view of the basic features of the rich tradition of Catholic reflection and action on social issues. In the words of Brady, "the Catholic social tradition is about action and contemplation. It calls on persons to take responsibility for themselves and for their neighbors. It aims to reach the hearts and the minds of persons. . . . It seeks personal conversion and social transformation." Written in an accessible style and designed for a one-semester course, it presents the principles of Catholic social thought along with their historical development and abridged excerpts from relevant documents. Each chapter includes study/discussion questions and begins and ends with a traditional Catholic prayer.