What is Catholicism? And where is the Catholic Church headed in the third millennium? These two questions provide the structure for Thomas Rausch's Catholicism in the Third Millennium. Here Rausch combines a faithful presentation of the tradition with a critical theological reflection and interpretation of where the Church is today and where it might be moving. Catholicism in the Third Millennium offers an appreciation of the forces and movements that have shaped, and continue to influence, the ongoing change and development of Roman Catholicism. Chief among these is the influence of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in reshaping Catholicism. This revised edition includes updated text from Rausch's Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium particularly the final chapter on "The Unfinished Agenda" of Vatican II. Each chapter concludes with focus questions developed by Catherine E. Clifford of St. Paul's University, Ottawa. This experience of guided reading provides readers with a broad survey of Roman Catholic faith and practice in its contemporary context. For readers who wish to compare particular passages of this volume with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an outline is provided in an appendix, with references to the appropriate sections of the Catechism. A second appendix offers a glossary of terms used in the book, while a third appendix lists a number of basic works for further investigation of Catholic faith and life. Chapters are "The Church and the Council," "Faith and the Believing Community," "A Visible Church," "A Living Tradition," "Sacraments and Christian nitiation," "Christian Life and Discipleship," "Sin, Forgiveness, and Healing," "Sexual Morality and Social Justice," "Prayer and Spirituality," "The Fullness of Christian Hope," and "The Unfinished Agenda." Includes Appendix I: Outlook of Book, with References to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Appendix II: Glossary of Terms, and Appendix III: Basic Reference Works on Catholicism. An Index of Names, and an Index of Subjects are also included. Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, PhD, is professor of theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is the author of Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, Reconciling Faith and Reason, and editor of the bestselling The College Student's Introduction to Theology published by Liturgical Press. Catherine E. Clifford, PhD, is a professor of theology at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario.

"What is Catholicism? Where is the Church headed in the third millennium? These questions provide the structure for Catholicism in the Third Millennium, where Father Rausch combines a faithful presentation of the tradition as well as a critical theological reflection of where the Church is today and where it might be moving. Each chapter has focus questions developed by Catherine E. Clifford. ..." [from back cover]

"Ecclesiology which takes into account the Second Vatican Council, ecumenism, and globalization"--Provided by publisher.

This study presents a contemporary understanding of Roman Catholicism, focusing on what it means to be an adult Catholic in terms of life, faith and practice. It draws upon the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, combining a faithful presentation of the tradition, as well as a critical theological reflection and interpretation of where the Church is today and where it might be moving.

At the beginning of the new millennium, the Christian Churches are in a process of renewal. The Roman Catholic Church, since Vatican II, has been in a major stage of renewal. Contemporary globalization, multi-cultural interrelationships, and inter-religious dialogues have presented serious challenges to these renewal efforts. In this volume, I want to offer to the Catholic Renewal and from there to other denominational renewals, a view of the church from the rich tradition of Franciscan philosophy and theology. To date there are a only a few books which include small essays on this theme. This volume presents an in-depth Franciscan approach to ecclesiology.

Nearly five thousand books are currently available on the subject of the "new" Catholic Church. However, few of them capture the essence and explain the practice of the Catholic faith tradition in a way that is as understandable as The Catholic Church In The Third Millennium. This book documents the dramatic changes that have transformed the Catholic Church during the past four decades, explores the implications of these changes in the present and projects future changes still to come. Most everyone who reads this book will discover a greater appreciation of their own very personal faith journey. Daniel Fusting served as president of a national management consulting firm for thirty two years and authored several programs in organization, management and leadership development for the business world. During this time, he remained actively involved in parish and diocesan ministries and developed several programs in pastoral and ministry formation for both the priests and the laity. He now devotes his full time to writing and speaking. Dan and his wife Mary, who is also pastoral associate in their parish, have five children and sixteen grandchildren.

Catholic ecclesiology stands at the threshold of a new moment in the reception of the Second Vatican Council. The election of Pope Francis—coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the council—has inspired a fresh consideration of its teaching in such diverse areas as ecumenism, inculturation, missiology, and ministry. The chapters in this volume have their origin in a special symposium that called together over forty of the leading Catholic scholars from throughout North America in order to discuss the future of theological reflection on the church. The nine essays in this volume guided that conversation and offer an entry into some of the most pressing issues in ecclesiology today.