Ethics of the Word: Voices in the Catholic Church Today

by James F. Keenan, SJ Boston College

Overview

In Ethics of the Word beloved priest and author James F. Keenan, S.J., discusses the power of the Word in the Catholic Church. In the ongoing wake of the priest abuse scandals, Father Keenan argues that we need new ways to build trust and open communication in the Church on all levels—from bishops to parishioners. Keenan's engaging style blends stories, Scripture, and theology to show readers the importance of both speaking and listening. The book covers topics ranging from difficult confrontations to apologies to the language of faith, hope, and love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742599567
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/16/2010
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

James F. Keenan, S.J., holds the Founders Professorship in Theology at Boston College. He is the author of a number of books, including Moral Wisdom and The Works of Mercy. He writes periodically for Church, America, The Tablet, and The Boston Globe.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 Introduction: As I See and Hear It
Chapter 3 Part 1: A Church in Need of Living the Truth in Love
Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Ethics Inside the Church: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Chapter 5 Chapter 2: Proposing an Ethics of the Word
Chapter 6 Chapter 3: Learning an Ethics of the Word
Chapter 7 Chapter 4: Silence in the Ethics of the Word
Chapter 8 Part 2: The Humanity of our Discourse
Chapter 9 Chapter 5: The Human Voice
Chapter 10 Chapter 6: Memory
Chapter 11 Chapter 7: Conscience
Chapter 12 Chapter 8: A Critical Challenge: Recovering Christian Dialogue
Chapter 13 Chapter 9: Modeling Christian Dialogue: The First International Cross-Cultural Discourse on Theological Ethics (Padova, Italy, July 2006)
Chapter 14 Part 3: Forms of Christian Discourse
Chapter 15 Chapter 10: Teaching
Chapter 16 Chapter 11: Conversations
Chapter 17 Chapter 12: Civil Discourse
Chapter 18 Chapter 13: Being Called
Chapter 19 Chapter 14: Taking Vows
Chapter 20 Chapter 15: Apologizing
Chapter 21 Chapter 16: Appreciating the Limits of Language
Chapter 22 Chapter 17: Reporting the Truth to Hurt Another
Chapter 23 Chapter 18: Lying and the Obligation to Get the Story Right
Chapter 24 Part 4: Words
Chapter 25 Chapter 19: Beautiful Words, Good Words
Chapter 26 Chapter 20: Words of Death and Gratitude
Chapter 27 Chapter 21: Challenging Words
Chapter 28 Chapter 22: Words of Life
Chapter 29 Chapter 23: Words of Greeting and Farewell
Chapter 30 Part 5: Faith, Hope, and Love
Chapter 31 Chapter 24: The Language of Faith
Chapter 32 Chapter 25: The Language of Hope
Chapter 33 Chapter 26: The Language of Love

Editorial Reviews

James Keenan's latest book is more than worthy of high praise for its deep learning lightly worn; its pastoral heart that manifestly inspires; its self revelation that never becomes mawkish; and, blessedly, for its lucid prose.

Lawrence S. Cunningham

Written in narrative style, each short chapter contributes to the ultimate goal of increasing understanding and transparency in our interactions. Integrating both memoir and moral instruction, the book draws the reader into profound reflection on appropriate words related to everyday experiences like absorbing the meaning of family relationships, learning to live with loneliness and grieving for the deaths of parents....Threaded into the engaging personal narrative of each chapter are powerful moral challenges....Ethics of the Word is a helpful and instructive book, given the many experiences of loss and suffering, misunderstanding and scandal that characterize much of our everyday lives. Whether among family and friends or church and civic community, Keenan enables the reader to see the impact of his or her words—both comforting and cutting words, the positive and the negative. Our choice of words affects everyone we encounter. Choosing them conscientiously, consonant with the word of God, the author demonstrates, makes for a world that is whole, sacred and intact.

America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture

Despite church scandals and controversies, Keenan shows that God's word can still inspire, renew and guide Catholics in the 21st century. Hearing and proclaiming the word is the vocation of every Christian, lay and clerical.

Thomas Reese

In this book James Keenan gently but effectively articulates a new call for us to take our words seriously. Profound human experiences of suffering, scandal, loss, misunderstanding, and healing evoke theological-imperatives to truthfulness, respect, and reconciliation. The book will inspire its readers to find and understand languages of vocation, faith, and hope. The language of love ultimately takes center stage in this thoughtful proposal for an ethic of the word.

Margaret A. Farley

James Keenan's latest book is more than worthy of high praise for its deep learning lightly worn; its pastoral heart that manifestly inspires; its self revelation that never becomes mawkish; and, blessedly, for its lucid prose.--Lawrence S. Cunningham, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

Despite church scandals and controversies, Keenan shows that God's word can still inspire, renew and guide Catholics in the 21st century. Hearing and proclaiming the word is the vocation of every Christian, lay and clerical.--Thomas Reese, S.J., Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University

In this book James Keenan gently but effectively articulates a new call for us to take our words seriously. Profound human experiences of suffering, scandal, loss, misunderstanding, and healing evoke theological-imperatives to truthfulness, respect, and reconciliation. The book will inspire its readers to find and understand languages of vocation, faith, and hope. The language of love ultimately takes center stage in this thoughtful proposal for an ethic of the word.--Margaret A. Farley, Gilbert L. Stark Emerita Professor of Christian Ethics, Yale Divinity School

From the Publisher

Written in narrative style, each short chapter contributes to the ultimate goal of increasing understanding and transparency in our interactions. Integrating both memoir and moral instruction, the book draws the reader into profound reflection on appropriate words related to everyday experiences like absorbing the meaning of family relationships, learning to live with loneliness and grieving for the deaths of parents....Threaded into the engaging personal narrative of each chapter are powerful moral challenges....Ethics of the Word is a helpful and instructive book, given the many experiences of loss and suffering, misunderstanding and scandal that characterize much of our everyday lives. Whether among family and friends or church and civic community, Keenan enables the reader to see the impact of his or her words—both comforting and cutting words, the positive and the negative. Our choice of words affects everyone we encounter. Choosing them conscientiously, consonant with the word of God, the author demonstrates, makes for a world that is whole, sacred and intact.

August 2010 America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture