12 Tough Issues and More

[MParedon]

what the church teaches and why

Has anyone read this book? It's by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk.

My RCIA hasn't started up yet and I realize that these issues might be more of stumbling blocks to those converting than Theoligical Doctrines like Purgatory, Mary, etc.

The book covers Abortion, ABC, Euthanasia, Capital Puchiment, Divorce and Remarriage, Artificial Conception, Homosexuality, Priestly Celibacy, Ordination of WOmen, Aurthority in the Church, Warfare, Social Justice, Church Membership and Conscience (I'm writing the Table of Contents)

It's a very slim book so it doesn't go seriously in depth to each topic (Which require books of their own) but it has Discussion questions (which suprisingly aren't meant for people to come up with thier own vague opinions and feel justified, but are very edifying in further teaching and showing the reasoning behind the teachings) and also Further Readings citing the CCC and Church Documents (lots of JPII Encyclicals).

I've only just skimmed it but it seems really good, although I do with it had more pages for each subject and more of an apologetics approach if only to counter objections people come up with.

Does anyone know or know about Archbishop Pilarczyk? The book states he's the past president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, which I've heard varying comments about so I'm curious.

[Carrye]

I haven't read it, but I have heard of him . . . but where?

[MParedon]

Teaching has to do with truth, and rules have to do with behavior. Right rules are the practical conclusions from right teaching.
For example, medical science teaches us that smoking is likely to damage our arteries and lungs, thus making us more vulnerable to heart attacks and lung cancer. Scientfic research has discovered this truth. It is the way things are. Consequently, doctors tell us that we should not smoke. This is a rule based on the teaching, a precept for behavior based on a reality.
We may not like the rule. We may demand that the rule be changed. However, demanding that the rule be changed, or simply disregarding the rule, makes no senseunless we can demonstrate that the reality on which the rule is based is false.
The rules for moral behavior that the church offers to us are the same. They are not based on the decision of some ecclesiastical legislator, but on the awareness of a truth, of a reality, which itself determines the behavioral consequences. Demanding that the church change the "rules" is meaningless if the rules reflect reality. The church does not make the reality. It discerns and teaches what the reality is and helps us see the implications for behavior that flow from the reality.

Underlining, bolding, and spelling/grammatical errors mine. :)

[MParedon]

I haven't read it, but I have heard of him . . . but where?

He's Archbishop of Cincinnati, Ohio. Is that close to Stuebenville?

[DJ B.K.]

I live in Cincinnati, so he's my archbishop. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this book. Got to meet him once before.

[MParedon]

I don't like how it treats ABC, it seems to be giving a little bit of an easy out while still saying that it is wrong. It gives the reasons why it's wrong and answers the questions about overpopulation, etc..but it doesn't back it up enough in my opinion. It could be because I'm spoiled with EWTN's talk about Theology of the Body.
Which gives me an excuse to buy atleast the Introduction to the Theology of the Body.

[MParedon]

.

[MParedon]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0867164611/002-6381735-4378455?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance

[HappyMomof4]

I live in Cincinnati, so he's my archbishop. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this book. Got to meet him once before.

It's in the library...:)
I read it a long time ago. I'm in Cincinnati too and I think he confirmed our class way back in the 8th grade. I think he is a pretty wise man.

[Filia Mariae]

He's Archbishop of Cincinnati, Ohio. Is that close to Stuebenville?

No, Steubenville is on the eastern border with WV and PA and Cincinnati is on the southwestern border with KY and IN.

I think you are right that these issues are going to be more of an issue for most people than the doctrinal ones we encounter here on CF.