Mercy in Action

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has tackled many issues of urgent reform within the church. Mercy in Action explores Pope Francis’s efforts to renewCatholic social teaching—the guidance the church offers on matters that pertain to social justice in the world. The book examines what Pope Francis has said, done, and written on six critical social issues today—economic inequality, worker justice, preserving the environment, healthy family life, the plight of refugees, and peacemaking. The book also highlights both continuity and change in Catholic social teaching. Author Thomas Massaro illustrates how on each social issue—from expressing solidarity with unemployed workers to writing an encyclical addressing environmental degradation and climate change—Pope Francis has worked to update the church’s message of social justice and mercy.

“Thomas Massaro, SJ, is one of the world's great experts, and great explainers, of the church's social teaching. As a Jesuit, he is also someone with a deep knowledge of what lies behind Pope Francis's words and deeds--especially as they relate to issues of economic justice, labor, ecology, family life, advocacy for the marginalized, and peacemaking. Father Massaro's tremendous knowledge of Catholic social teaching together with his profound appreciation for Jesuit spirituality have combined to make a superb book. It's accessible, inviting and, most of all, wise.”

Massaro masterfully explores and explains what Pope Francis has added to Catholic social teaching and how he also builds on previous social teaching by popes such as Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI. . . . One is unlikely to find a more cogent, comprehensive, sympathetic yet sometimes critical, well-written, and exhaustive treatment of Francis’s social teaching than that found in M.’s book. Theological Studies
Thomas Massaro, SJ, is one of the world's great experts, and great explainers, of the church’s social teaching. As a Jesuit, he is also someone with a deep knowledge of what lies behind Pope Francis's words and deeds—especially as they relate to issues of economic justice, labor, ecology, family life, advocacy for the marginalized, and peacemaking. Father Massaro's tremendous knowledge of Catholic social teaching together with his profound appreciation for Jesuit spirituality have combined to make a superb book. It's accessible, inviting and, most of all, wise. -- James Martin, SJ, author of In Good Company and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything
Catholic social teaching has a long and noble tradition, but it needs a rebooting in our fractious and backsliding era. Thomas Massaro brilliantly shows how Pope Francis takes that teaching to an entirely new level, drawing on the power of ‘trickle-up’ wisdom and commitment, not just pronouncements from above. If you think Catholic social teaching is great but predictable and not very effective, read this book for inspiration. -- Lisa Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College
Catholic social teaching has a long and noble tradition, but it needs a rebooting in our fractious and backsliding era.  Thomas Massaro brilliantly shows how Pope Francis takes that teaching to an entirely new level, drawing on the power of ‘trickle-up’ wisdom and commitment, not just pronouncements from above.  If you think Catholic social teaching is great but predictable and not very effective, read this book for inspiration. -- Lisa Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College

Thomas Massaro, SJ, is professor of moral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. He is author of Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action and has been a regular contributor to America magazine.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has tackled many issues of urgent reform within the church. Mercy in Action explores Pope Francis's efforts to renewCatholic social teaching-the guidance the church offers on matters that pertain to social justice in the world. The book examines what Pope Francis has said, done, and written on six critical social issues today-economic inequality, worker justice, preserving the environment, healthy family life, the plight of refugees, and peacemaking. The book also highlights both continuity and change in Catholic social teaching. Author Thomas Massaro illustrates how on each social issue-from expressing solidarity with unemployed workers to writing an encyclical addressing environmental degradation and climate change-Pope Francis has worked to update the church's message of social justice and mercy.

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