Lazarus at the Table: Catholic and Social Justice

by Bernard F. Evans

Overview

Lazarus at the Tale is the fruit of more than two decades of instructing students in the social teachings of the Catholic Church. For most of these years Bernard Evans has taught graduate students. Lately he also teaches lay Catholics engaged in parish ministry and enrolled in diocesan ministry formation programs. This book is written specifically for the latter group.

Evans agrees with the bishops of the United States who insist that any Catholic education that does not include Catholic social teaching is not fully Catholic. And so he writes clearly, concisely, and convincingly about how Catholic social teaching addresses such contemporary issues as human dignity, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, the death penalty, war, family, marriage, poverty, superfluous income, just wages, unions, peace, solidarity, and many more. Excerpts from the church's official teachings in papal documents abound throughout the book.

Bernard Evans holds the Virgil Michel Ecumenical Chair in Rural Social Ministries at Saint John's School of Theology'seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814651148
Publisher:	Liturgical Press, The
Publication date:	11/28/2006
Series:	Michael Glazier Bks.
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Bernard F. Evans holds the Virgil Michel Ecumenical Chair in Rural Social Ministries at Saint John's School of Theology Seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota. A frequent speaker in parishes on the topic of biblical stewardship, he holds a PhD from Catholic University of America. His previous books include Lazarus at the Table: Catholics and Social Justice and Vote Catholic? Beyond the Political Din, published by Liturgical Press.

Table of Contents

Introduction     ix
Catholic Social Teaching     1
Biblical Foundation     2
Early Christian Writers     4
Historical Developments     6
The Beginnings     7
The Documents     9
Life and Dignity of the Human Person     11
Human Dignity     11
Threats to Human Dignity Today     18
Defending Human Dignity     23
Call to Family, Community, and Participation     26
Community/Society     26
Family     33
Participation     37
Rights and Responsibilities     41
Rights and Human Dignity     42
Rights and Healthy Communities     44
Responsibilities     46
Rights Under Threat     48
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable     55
Poverty     56
Sharing/Giving     61
Preferential Option     65
Responding to Poverty     69
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers     72
Human Work     73
Workers' Rights     78
Protecting the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers     84
Solidarity     88
One Human Family     89
Our Brothers' and Sisters' Keepers     91
Seeking a Just Social Order     93
Globalization     95
Subsidiarity     96
Peace     98
Everyone's Responsibility     100
Care for God's Creation     104
Creation is God's     105
Creation is Good     106
Humans and Creation     110
Epilogue: Meeting Lazarus     118
Living Catholic Social Teachings     118
Tapping the Resources     122
Reading the Documents     124

Editorial Reviews

. . . an engaging and accessible introduction to Catholic social teaching focusing on the common good.
Religious Studies Review

. . . a valuable book for high school or college students as they develop their spirituality as Christians by learning what Catholic social policy is and ways to incorporate it into their daily living.
Catholic Library World

At a time when there is much dialogue among all people concerning justice in the social, political, and economic arenas of peoples’ lives, this book serves as a valuable resource.
Catholic Studies

Bernard F. Evans, PhD, agrees with the bishops statements that any Catholic education that does not include Catholic social teaching is not fully Catholic. He writes clearly, concisely and convincingly of how Catholic social teaching addresses contemporary issues as human dignity, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, the death penalty, war, family, marriage, poverty, superfluous income, just wages, unions and peace.
Crux

Bernard Evans has performed a service of significant contemporary importance for Catholics and for all Christians. Certainly we Lutherans have much to learn from his illuminating depiction of the living tradition of Catholic social thought and its challenges to our own approaches and conclusions. Together we have much to say to one another as we learn to act together in the name of Christ and for the sake of a suffering and unjust world. Let the conversation begin in every community where we share moral responsibility. God grant that our mutual conversation may lead to more loving and faithful service of our neighbors and the achievement of greater human justice and freedom.
Trinity Seminary Review

While the compilation by itself is valuable to students, the inclusion of discussion questions and recommended actions that conclude the chapters on each of the topics provides readers with the inspiration to practice what has been preached. It would be ideal for use in a parish-based adult faith-formation program.
Catholic Online

A number of nudges in the right direction.
Review for Religious

This slim volume on Catholic social teaching (CST) is ideal for individual and group use. The author skillfully presents each of the seven principles of CST with reference to Church documents, historical background, and specific examples.
Writing Works

From the Publisher