Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism
Evangelii Gaudium and the Papal Agenda

A study of the most important document from Pope Francis to date exploring key components of his agenda for the church.

Gerard Mannion (Edited by)

9781107142541, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 April 2017

266 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.51 kg

… offers solid scholarly insight into [Evangelii Gaudium] and belongs in university libraries, especially those that support graduate programs.' William L. Portier, Horizons

Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism is the first and most in-depth study of the most important teaching document from Pope Francis to date: Evangelii Gaudium. It explores the key components of his vision and agenda for the church - ecclesiological, social and dialogical - drawing together a range of globally and disciplinary diverse voices from leading experts in the field. Contributions explore Francis' distinctive style of papacy as well as the substance of his ecclesial revolution and reforms. Chapters engage with the most pressing challenges for the church in today's world and Francis' debt to key influences from John XXIII and Vatican II to Liberation Theology. The global context and contributions to the dialogue of this papacy are assessed and discussed in-depth. The scope of the book will appeal to those interested in the Catholic Church in both contemporary and historical contexts and to those seeking to understand where the church is going today.

1. Pope Francis' agenda for the Church - Evangelii Gaudium as papal manifesto Gerard Mannion
Part I. A New Vision for the Church? Evangelii Gaudium and Pope Francis' Ecclesiology: 2. Pope Francis' new vision for the Church as expressed in Evangelii Gaudium Dennis Doyle
3. Evangelii Gaudium as an act of reception of Vatican II Massimo Faggioli
4. 'The Lord, your God, is in your Midst' (EG 4): Evangelii Gaudium - Francis' call for a kenotic theology Judith Gruber
5. An ecclesial renewal which cannot be deferred. Ecclesial renewal and the renewal of ecclesial structures Sandra Mazzolini
6. Francis' ecclesiological revolution: a new way of being Church, a new way of being Pope Gerard Mannion
Part II. A Church of and for the Poor: The Social Vision of Evangelii Gaudium: 7. The social vision of The Joy of the Gospel: four questions William Werpehowski
8. Taking on the 'smell of the sheep': racial justice in the missionary key of Evangelii Gaudium Maureen O'Connell
9. A church of and for the poor: the social vision of Evangelii Gaudium through the eyes of a scholar-practitioner Maryanne Loughry
10. Evangelizing in an economy of death Mary Doak
Part III. Church and World in the 21st Century: The Dialogical Vision of Evangelii Gaudium: 11. The global vision of Evangelii Gaudium: cultural diversity as a road to peace Drew Christiansen
12. The dialogue of fraternity: Evangelii Gaudium and the renewal of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue John Borelli.

Subject Areas: Christian leaders & leadership [HRCX1], Christian theology [HRCM], Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church [HRCC7]