The Liberation of the Laity

Description

Best Theology Book 2004 - Catholic Press Assocation The present crisis in the American Catholic Church stems from a two-fold source: lay people are powerless while the bishops are accountable to no one but the pope and the curia. While the number of lay people exercising ministries in the church has grown enormously over the past thirty years (largely due to the shortage of priests), there has been little or no theological reflection till now on the genuine role of the laity. It is only from such reflection that structural reform of the church will come. The first half of The Liberation of the Laity concentrates on the fortunes of the laity, theologically speaking, between Vatican I (1870) and Vatican II (1962-65). It examines the growth of the "new theology" in France in the 1940s and 1950s and shows how in the work of one of its leading practitioners, Yves Congar, much of the vision of the laity expressed at Vatican II was anticipated. Seeing the years after the council as decades of missed opportunities to recognize the role of the laity, the book then turns to a series of constructive proposals for the liberation of the laity, and thus the liberation of the church. It discusses the importance of "secularity," the need for a "lay liberation theology," and the centrality of the struggles against global capitalism in the mission of the church. It ends with a chapter envisioning dramatic changes in ministry and governing structures, in which accountability will be central, "servant leaders" will include women and married people, and both ecclesiastical careerism and the College of Cardinals will be history.

Paul Lakeland holds the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Chair in Catholic Studies at Fairfield University. He is the author of five books, on women's ordination, Hegel, liberation theology, and the intersections of theology with critical theory and postmodern cultural theory.

"Paul Lakeland's book is a real and much-needed contribution to the church in these troubled times. It gives us heart that there can be genuine theology of the laity and a vision of the church that is both faithful and radical. And it helps us see how to build the institutional practices and structures in support of the church's overwhelming important mission." --Mary Jo Bane, Thornton Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy and Management, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University * Blurb from reviewer * "Lakeland gives us nothing less than a blueprint for the future of the church. As clerical authoritarianism comes undone before our eyes, 'The Liberation of the Laity' liberates the Catholic imagination to see the life and mission of the church with fresh eyes. His theology of the laity is indeed liberating-and timely." --Donald Cozzens, author of 'Sacred Silence and 'The Changing Face of the Priesthood' * Blurb from reviewer * "A virtual and valuable primer on the crucial importance of the vocation that the vast majority of us share, but are only beginning to understand-that of being lay Catholics. This sensible, readable, clear-eyes book goes back to the basics of our faith to provide the theological underpinnings of our mission and ministry as lay Catholics and then charts a path to a rich and full Catholicism that has the potential to transform both us and our church." --Paul Wilkes, author of 'The Seven Secrets of Successul Catholics' and project director fo the Pastoral Summit, www.pastoralsummit.org * Blurb from reviewer * "Here is a remarkable theology of the church that begins with the laity. Following the lead of John Henry Newman and Yves Congar, Lakeland has developed an exciting vision of what the church can and should be. In our era confidence in bishops and the ordained has been tragically shaken. Yet faith remains, and Lakeland shows how the voice of tradition can and must be expressed in the voice of the faithful. A wonderful contribution to contemporary ecclesiology." --Terrence W. Tilley, Professor and Department Chair Religious Studies, University of Dayton * Blurb from reviewer * "The book makes the case that many in the Catholic Chruch don't feel a sense of responsibility to those they serve - a problem...that's become more obvious in recent years." --Amanda Cuda in The Connecticut Post Religion Section * Blurb from reviewer * "...an extraordinary historical and theological analysis of the church's position on laity...This book is timely, provocative and well researched." - Dallas Morning News * Blurb from reviewer * "Lakeland builds this case in admirably systematic fashion....The Liberation of the Laity is a most important book. Aided by a burst of courage implanted in the right hearts by the indwelling Spirit, it could become a landmark." --R. Scott Appleby, America * Blurb from reviewer * 'The book is the best thing around - at least that I know of - on the theology of the laity and the reform of the Church. Stephen Pickard, Director, St. Mark's, Canberra in St Mark's Review * Blurb from reviewer * "This book can be quite heavy reading, but it also thought-provoking and offers much for debate. Each chapter includes further resources and questions for discussion, and the material will challenge both progressives and traditionalists. This is not a book to read for enjoyment or relaxation. Read it if you care about the Church and understand the seriousness of your baptismal calling--and all it entails." -Liguorian * Liguorian * "Paul Lakeland is tackling the really big questions... [his] work is challenging" -- John Wilkins * Tablet, The *