Living Justice

Catholic Social Teaching in Action

By (author) Thomas Massaro

Not available to order

Publication date:

05 November 2015

Length of book:

228 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442230934

Now in its third edition, Living Justice is an ideal introduction to Catholic social teaching. Thomas Massaro introduces readers to the history and basics of Catholic social teaching while highlighting new developments and helping readers understand how to apply this teaching to life today.

Living Justice leads readers step-by-step through the building blocks of Catholic social thought, including its central themes, sources, and methods. Along the way readers encounter great heroes of social change and prophets of peace and justice. The third edition features significant updates throughout, including extensive coverage of Pope Francis and his two major social teaching documents: Evangelii Gaudium on gospel-grounded justice and Laudato Si’ on the environment. It also looks at the Pope’s contributions to peace and justice efforts around the world, including his advocacy for diplomacy, simplicity of lifestyle, and healthy family life. The third edition includes two new case studies in the dynamics of globalization—the global migration crisis and the scourge of human trafficking. It also contains expanded sections on globalization, the environment, and issues of peace and war.

With its accessible and reader-friendly style, the third edition of
Living Justice includes new discussion questions, revised topics for further study, and an updated list of resources that make the book an excellent resource for students or parishes.
I am grateful for this updated edition of Massaro's Living Justice. I have used the earlier edition for several years now, and my students have found it a clear and accessible presentation. However, as Fr. Massaro notes, Pope Francis has changed Catholic social teaching forever, not only with his writing but especially in his action. This new edition nicely integrates reflections on the Pope’s personal way of ‘living justice,’ as well as exploring his written contributions in Evangelii Gaudium and Laudato Si’. I continue to find particularly helpful the questions for reflection provided at the end of each chapter, as well as the quite useful section on ‘Applying Catholic Social Teaching in the Real World,’ always the challenge for my students and for all of us in the Church.