Love In Action: A Direct-action Handbook for Catholics Using Gospel Nonviolence to Reform and Renew the Church

by Richard K. Taylor

Nonviolence has a long and effective record in transforming groups, institutions, and whole societies. Gospel nonviolence brings this same powerful energy to the transformation of the Church. Rooted in Jesus Christ and Church tradition, and drawing on nonviolent movements worldwide, this loving approach shows how to work for crucial changes in the face of discouragement and frequent institutional opposition. Today many faithful Catholics and Catholic reform groups yearn for such changes, ranging from women and married clergy to effective response to sex scandals to lay participation in governance and condemnation of materialism and war. Love in Action is about loving the Church toward such change-prophetically and nonviolently. Geared specifically to the hopes and challenges of the renewal of the Catholic Church, this handbook offers tools that are both spiritually grounded and pragmatic. It teaches anyone to build an effective, faith-based group working for reform with tips on how to build a group, run effective meetings, negotiate, or carry out direct action. Here are anecdotes, exercises, and hundreds of examples of people translating conviction into effective personal and institutional transformation. If you wish to see change in your church-and seek your own transformation in the process-you will find Love in Action indispensable.

156 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Catholic Church in America is experiencing interesting times. Our bishops (and would-be bishops) are predominately conservative--some cautious, some reactionary--but they are also increasingly nervous, given to glancing over their shoulders, choosing words and actions with unusual care, for they suspect that the new big boss, Pope Francis, dislikes their usual stonewall/steamroller tactics, preferring people of faith who speak directly and inclusively, people who speak from the heart.

When reactionary officials get jumpy, fearing they must choose between an aggressive traditionalism and a well-smoothed career path, it is time for the average guy, gal, straight or gay to start considering a little civil disobedience.

This book is a helpful, instructing you in detail how to set up an organization dedicated to winning social change through non-violence, and, more specifically, how church members can achieve these goals in a spirit of peace transformed by Christian love.

Does your bishop look a little uncertain lately? Go ahead, buy this book. It might come in handy some day.