Catholic Religion Over the Last

¶ … Catholic Religion Over the Last 100 Years

Allsopp, M. And O'Keefe, J.J. (1995). Veritas splendor: American responses.

Kansas City, MO: Sheed & Ward.

Authors Allsopp and O'Keefe explore Pope John Paul II's encyclical Veritas Splendor, an extensive analysis of Catholic morality which has come under extreme criticism over the last fifty years. In this book, the authors offer a series of essays that deal with the various responses of American Catholics to this highly-controversial document.

Bokenkotter, T. (2000). A concise history of the catholic church. New York: Image Books.

As an updated edition, this expansive history on the Roman Catholic Church examines in great detail the various events and doctrines that have helped to determine the Catholic Church's present status in the world. Chapter 15 in particular covers the history of the church from about 1850 to the early 1990's and discusses theology, church tenets and controversies, such as abortion and gay marriage. d "http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/orange-arrow._V42752349_.gif"?

Butler, F.J. (1994). American catholic identity: Essays in an age of change. Kansas City,

MO: Sheed & Ward.

In this work, Butler examines in great detail twenty-two addresses concerning exactly what it means to be a Catholic in post-modern America and provides a splendid overview of early to late 20th century American Catholicism related to ethics, morality and the ever-growing dissent against the Church's antiquated views on human society and its relationship to God.

Chittiser, J. (2000). Womanstrength: The old church and the modern woman. Kansas City,

MO: Sheed & Ward.

As one of America's leading dissenters, Joan Chittiser offers a wide-ranging and provocative collection of essays written by some of today's most important religious scholars and historians on the overall role of women in the Catholic Church, beginning in the late 19th century and up to the present day.

Cuneo, M.W. (1997). The smoke of satan: Conservative and traditional dissent in modern american catholicism. New York: Oxford University Press.

In this book, M.W. Cuneo explores the different types of dissent against the teachings and tenets of the Roman Catholic Church, dating back to the late 19th century, and their impacts on American culture and American Catholicism. Cuneo also examines how dissent by practicing Catholics has changed the views of the Church related to ethics and morality.

Davidson, J.D. (1997). The search for common ground: What unites and divides catholic americans. Huntington, IN: Sunday Visitor Press.

Renowned sociologist J.D. Davidson provides an in-depth sociological analysis of pre- and post-Vatican II Catholics between the 1950's and the 1970's. He also discusses with much insight how the decisions of the Vatican Council have affected American Catholics over the last twenty years and then proceeds to explain why the Council made specific decisions which continue to influence Catholic thought and attitudes.

Gleason, P. (1979). In search of unity: american catholic thought, 1920-1960. Catholic

Historical Review, 65(2), 185-205.

In this essay, Patrick Gleason examines how Catholic thought evolved between the end of World War I and the beginning of the radical 1960's. His basic focus is upon how American Catholics sought out ways to unite the church, especially during the early 1960's when radical elements began to infiltrate all areas of the church.

Hennesey, J. (1987). Church history and the theologians. U.S. Catholic Historian, 6(1), 1-12.

In this essay, James Hennesey examines how past and current church theologians view the history of the Catholic Church. Of course, since these views are based on those who are high-ranking members of the church, Hennesey's narrative is somewhat biased, yet it does provide an excellent overview of many important topics related to American Catholicism.

Hurley, M. (2002). The unholy ghost: Anti-catholicism in the american experience.

Huntington, IN: Sunday Visitor Press.

In this carefully-documented study of prejudice against Catholics in the United States, Bishop Mark Hurley examines the entire history of prejudice from the 1700's and up to the present day. There are three sections to this work, being 1776 to Vatican II, post-Vatican II and a final section which focuses upon the issue of abortion and how American Catholics feel about this very controversial topic.

McAvoy, T.T. (1942). The catholic church in the United States between two wars. Review of Politics, 4(4), 409-431.

Although somewhat dated, this essay examines in great detail and with much insight how the Catholic Church changed between World War I (1914-1918) and the beginnings of World War II in 1941. Of course, McAvoy's focus is upon how the church's political views altered as a result of the rise of Imperial Germany and the influence of Nazi Germany, especially on the Vatican and the Pope.

McNamara, P.H. (1985). American catholicism in the mid-eighties: pluralism and conflict in a changing church. Annals of the American Academy of Politics and Social Science, 480:

63-74.

In this essay, Paul McNamara examines the various conflicts associated with the Catholic Church in the middle years of the 1980's. His argument based upon pluralism explores the often turbulent relationships between ethnic and cultural groups within the church and how these groups attempted to integrate their various beliefs and traditional customs.

Pogorzelski, F. (2009). "Catholic Evangelism." Internet. Accessed July 12, 2009 from http://www.catholicevangelism.org.

This excellent internet site contains a myriad of information on the Roman Catholic Church, such as Catholic educational resources on the web, Catholic documents, the mission of the Roman Catholic Church and especially an entire section devoted the history of the Catholic Church with an extensive bibliography.