Why the Catholic Church Must Change - by Margaret Nutting Ralph (Paperback)

About the Book

As contentious debates swirl in the Catholic church about the role of women, abortion, sexuality, and more, author Margaret Nutting Ralph urges readers to see that past church teaching on these issues is not infallible. Contrary to popular belief, church teaching on key issues...

Book Synopsis

As contentious debates swirl in the Catholic church about the role of women, abortion, sexuality, and more, author Margaret Nutting Ralph urges readers to see that past church teaching on these issues is not infallible. Contrary to popular belief, church teaching on key issues has evolved in the past, and Ralph makes the case that it should again. Ralph works through some of the most vexing questions in the church today, from homosexuality to contraception, outlining key scriptural references for each issue, exploring the history of church teaching, then looking for ways these teachings might evolve. The paperback edition features a new preface that explores the potential for change in the church in light of Pope Francis's first year.

Review Quotes

[Margaret Nutting Ralph] tackles natural law, women's ordination, civil rights for gays, contraception, marriage and annulments, and abortion. ... This stimulating book deserves an audience.

In Why the Catholic Church Must Change, Margaret Nutting Ralph wrestles with the magisterial church while the many other dimensions nip at the edges of each chapter. She writes from inside the Roman Catholic Church as a critical member and not as an outside critic. ... All in all Ralph does a good job of opening up topics that have been discussed for years by those both in and outside the Roman church. ... The book would make a good selection for a reading circle or readers' forum.

Its title suggests another philippic against an intransigent Catholic Church, but the book is something much better. Ralph is as concerned to show readers that the present-day church can change, not just that it should change. Ever so refreshingly, she draws only on scripture and official church documents to make her case and names names only as sources. She establishes the grounds for change via papal pronouncements on biblical interpretation--the church reads the Bible contextually, not fundamentally--and on observing the proper domains of different methods of learning; for example, theology deals with spiritual reality, whereas the sciences deal with physical reality. She makes cases for change in three chapters on issues that concern both non-Catholics as well as Catholics: contraception, discrimination against women, and the civil rights of homosexuals. Four chapters focus on the effectiveness of Catholic teaching and practice about abortion, marriage and annulment, social justice (especially in Catholic workplaces), and Christian unity. She writes straightforwardly, in common language, with the love of Paul (1 Cor. 13:4-8a), which "is not irritable or resentful," but "endures all things." Simply invaluable.

Margaret Nutting Ralph has written a smart, accessible guide for those of us living through the ongoing challenges and changes that have become a central reality of Catholic life today. This is the kind of informed discussion, grounded in Scripture and tradition, that transforms what some perceive as threat into the conversation essential for this era.


Ralph argues that church teaching has evolved in the past and that it should again. For many contentious issues, Ralph uses scripture and church history to explore how teachings could change.

Ralph's latest book offers a compellingly readable discussion of several hot-button issues facing the church. . . the book is balanced, engaging and informative.

Seldom have I read such calm, compelling, and well-reasoned theological reflection on very contentious church issues. Yet the ordinary layperson can remain informed and engaged here! I think Margaret Nutting Ralph goes well beyond any too easy progressive or conservative dualisms, and authentically searches for authentic Catholic Tradition and teaching. You will find both spiritual intelligence and comfort here.

Why the Catholic Church Must Change is not primarily a book for scholars, but a convincing and heartfelt plea from a biblically inspired, well informed, and committed Catholic to the hierarchical leadership of the Church that for the good and future of the Church the leadership should change its teachings and strategies on seven hot button issues in the Catholic Church today. It deserves the widest possible readership.

With orderly precision, Ralph (pastoral studies, Lexington Theological Seminary, KY; And God Said What?) presents a substantial discussion guide on major issues of debate within the Roman Catholic Church today: contraception, women's ordination, homosexuality, abortion, marriage/annulments, social justice, and ecumenism. Long a diocesan leader in religious studies, she here quotes both scripture and official Church documents to show changes over time in magisterial teaching, given the emergence of new scientific knowledge and cultural shifts. She explains that inconsistency between word and action among some Church authorities has produced a credibility gap for the faithful today that continues to get a great deal of attention, and diminishes the greater good produced by the Church and its members. VERDICT Fair, well documented, and contextually based, the book is a convincing, succinct review of moral issues broadly impacting Catholic laity and is offered as a way toward reasoned dialog and respectful understanding within and without the Church. Ralph argues for needed changes while affirming the Church's core teachings. Recommended for those involved in today's Catholic Church and informed lay readers.

About the Author

Margaret Nutting Ralph is the director of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree program for Catholics at Lexington Theological Seminary and teaches in the Permanent Deacon Program for St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. She has given numerous presentations on biblical topics to parish, diocesan, state and national groups throughout the United States, in Nassau and in Canada, including the East Coast Conference; Anaheim Conference; National Conference of Catechetical Leaders; Chief Administrators of Catholic Education; National Catholic Education Association; Gather Me a People Conference. She has published many books and articles on religion and the church, including A Walk Through the New Testament: An Introduction for Catholics (2009) and bestseller And God Said What? An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms (2003).