Peacebuilding and Catholic Social Teaching - by Theodora Hawksley (Paperback)

About the Book

"Catholic peacebuilding has been waiting for this book. Historical and constructive, it offers a deep, dynamic theological understanding of the Christian tradition. . . . This book is a gift to the Catholic Church. . . . It curates an intra-tradition conversation through which Catholics might grow and more effectively manifest their teaching on peace." --Theological Studies

Book Synopsis

The Roman Catholic Church, with its global reach, centralized organization, and more than 1.4 billion members, could be one of the world's most significant forces in global peacemaking, and yet its robust tradition of social teaching on peace is not widely known. In Peacebuilding and Catholic Social Teaching, Theodora Hawksley aims to make that tradition better known and understood, and to encourage its continued development in light of the lived experience of Catholics engaged in peacebuilding and conflict transformation worldwide.

The first part of this book analyzes the development of Catholic social teaching on peace from the time of the early Church fathers to the present, drawing attention to points of tension and areas in need of development. The second part engages in constructive theological work, exploring how the existing tradition might develop in order to support the efforts of Catholic peacebuilders and respond to the distinctive challenges of contemporary conflict.

Peacebuilding and Catholic Social Teaching is one of the first scholarly monographs dedicated exclusively to theology, ethics, and peacebuilding. It will appeal to students and academics who specialize in Catholic social teaching and peacebuilding, to practitioners of Catholic peacebuilding, and to anyone with an interest in religion and peacebuilding more generally.

Review Quotes

"Hawksley undertakes a critical theological analysis of "the overall shape of the tradition and the transition between different phases of the building." In doing this, she points to areas that need further theological attention and offers a constructive and creative theological work." --The Journal of Social Encounters

"[An] admirable, meticulous, and creative book." --Thinking Faith

"Catholic peacebuilding has been waiting for this book. Historical and constructive, it offers a deep, dynamic theological understanding of the Christian tradition." --Theological Studies

"Hawksley's book is well-argued, illuminating and, ultimately, hopeful. For a world in which violence has only shifted its form, but not diminished, her book offers many breaths of fresh air for those looking for new tools, new partners and, ultimately, a way to empower the laity to be the hands of Christ's peace in the world." --Studies in Christian Ethics

"This book is broad in appeal, providing an overview of the development of peace studies in the Catholic Church for beginners while offering new insights for those already engaged in this area." --Journal of Catholic Social Thought

"This is a book of enormous relevance to Ireland, and to other largely Catholic communities. All too often what is called peace-making or peace-building are actually attempts to restore peace." --The Irish Catholic

"Theodora Hawksley reflects on the theological themes of consolation, forgiveness, and solidarity and the role they ought to play in contemporary peacebuilding. Peacebuilding and Catholic Social Teaching also skillfully draws on the experience of peacebuilders in places such as Northern Ireland and Colombia, infusing the manuscript with realism and practicality." --Matthew A. Shadle, author of The Origins of War

About the Author

Theodora Hawksley is head of social and environmental justice programming at the London Jesuit Centre. She is co-editor of Peacebuilding and the Arts.