It should be noted, of course, that every papal encyclical is available to read for free on the Vatican Web site, and soon it will appear in this link. Here is the blurb in the pre-order of the encyclical from Ignatius Press:
Pope Benedict’s third encyclical, Love in Truth (Caritas in Veritate), applies the themes of his first two encyclicals—love and hope (God is Love, Saved in Hope)—to the world’s major social issues. Drawing on moral truths open in principle to everyone (the natural law) as well as on the teaching of the gospel (revelation), Pope Benedict addresses Catholics and non-Catholics alike, challenging us all to recognize and then to confront the social evils of our day.
The first part of the encyclical examines the dynamic teaching of Benedict’s predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Both men contributed greatly to the body of doctrine known as “Catholic social teaching.” Both men challenged the simplistic division of political perspectives into “conservative” and “liberal,” and “right” and “left.” Both men were convinced that the natural moral law and the teaching of the Gospel were indispensable for a world in desperate search of hope and meaning.
In part two, Benedict surveys the social issues that confront the human race today—assaults on the dignity of the human person such as the attack on human life, poverty, issues of war and peace, terrorism, globalization, and environmental concerns. Benedict provides sound moral principles to address these social and economic problems, and to promote a culture of life and genuine peace.
Far from being a partisan political tract, Love in Truth avoids the posturing that dominates so much political discourse, yet without compromising the truth or love. In this outstanding work, Pope Benedict shows us why so many observers regard him as the world’s leading moral voice, and one of the most insightful and profound social/political thinkers of our day.
Don’t find yourself in the all-too-common trap of letting the radical and biased media give you their ever-inflammatory interpretation of the good things that come from the Vatican. See for yourself, and give it a good read later this month, as I am sure it will provide much insight into the answer the Gospel provides for the many ills of humanity’s present situation.
November update
It seems that this encyclical's publication date has been pushed back, currently being reviewed by some economic experts, according to what I can make of the foreign press. It is expected, according to those sources, to be released by the "early months of 2009." Ignatius has bumped back their publication date to April 2009.
1 comments:
Thank God for Pope Benedict! I look forward to reading "Caritas in Veritate" and I enjoy how he has such a profound grasp on Church and State, integrating both into his writing with such cohesiveness in his first two encyclicals.
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