A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching

by Kevin E. McKenna

Topics related to Catholic social teaching emerge regularly in American political and civic discourse, often connected to discussions about religious freedom, abortion, immigrant rights, racism, capital punishment, and health care. This third edition of A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching by Rev. Kevin E. McKenna incorporates the essential teachings of Pope Francis in Evangelium Gaudium, Laudato Si’, and Amoris Laetitia to offer a clear, beginner-level reference tool and study guide for Church leaders and other interested Catholics to help them navigate this vast body of teaching.

Building on core themes of human dignity, community, rights and responsibilities, option for the poor, dignity of work, solidarity, and care of creation, McKenna distills a vast amount of Catholic teaching into easily digestible summaries, each carefully referenced to its primary source and correlated to pressing issues making today’s headlines.

The book includes crucial teachings of the popes from Louis XIII through Francis as well as from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Each chapter concludes with questions for reflection and dialogue and appendices provide tools for parishes and study groups.

This practical and thorough guide remains a perennial favorite for study and reference in Catholic parishes, universities, and ministry formation programs.

Genres: Catholic

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Luke Mohnasky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate this book for it's principle-driven stance towards the world instead of policy-driven. It pays attention to the common good, taking care of the poor and helpless in society, and taking care of creation. We have a responsibility to pay attention and take care of the world. However, there are several papers in this collection that use harmful language towards women, especially towards mothers considering abortion. I found those pieces disgusting and against what the rest of the book talked about.

It is choppy to read though. This concise guide does not provide in-depth rationale but states what the way of life should be like. Which is fine, but boring to read.

[Gwendolyn B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially in today's polarizing climate, it would behoove all Catholics to pick up this compendium of Papal and episcopal documents. It also might shock them. I needed nearly two weeks to finish this short book because its contents on social and economic justice, human rights, and eco-justice are that profound, thought-provoking, and shockingly ignored (or unheard of) by many lay Catholics.

My only gripe about the book is something the author couldn't help; it was published in 2002. I hope that Fr. McKenna puts out a revised edition that includes Laudato Si.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with this book is how it's organized. Instead of going topic by topic and harmonizing what the church teaches about it, the book just lifts pieces of encyclicals and other documents in chronological order. Because of this you get a lot of repetition.

[Dolores Downey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more but it does say Concise. Somewhat superficial in my opinion,

[Lingui5t · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly just summaries of encyclicals. Definitely not very useful for my purposes. Also very dryly presented. Meh!

[Vance J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice review of the foundation of Catholic social teaching. A very important reference for these very interesting times we're facing in the United States right now. Especially edifying is the principle of moral teachings vs. political expedience.