Introduction
1: The Role of the Teaching Catholic Church in Our Search to Know
God and God’s Will
2: The Role of Experience and the Role of Scripture in Our Search
to Know God and God’s Will
3: Can Catholic Church Teaching Change?
4: Contraception
5: Ordination and Women’s Role in the Catholic Church
6: Homosexuality
7: Abortion: Church, State, Conscience, and Effective Witness
8: Marriage and Annulments
9: Teaching Social Justice and Treating Employees Justly
10: Unity in the Body of Christ
Conclusion
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).
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.
*Booklist, Starred Review*
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.
*Library Journal*
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.
*U.S. Catholic*
[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.
*Voice of Reason*
Ralph's latest book offers a compellingly readable discussion of
several hot-button issues facing the church. . . the book is
balanced, engaging and informative.
*National Catholic Reporter*
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.
*EqualwRites*
Throughout the book and in a most articulate conclusion, R.
presents a well-structured summary of reasons why the Church, in
the United States and elsewhere, continues to struggle to regain
credible teaching authority among many of its people.
*Theological Studies*
Margaret Nutting Ralph has done the living body of Christ a
valuable service by pointing out how we can remain faithful to
essential principles, while applying them in changing contexts.
*St. Anthony Messenger*
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.
*Charles E. Curran, Scurlock University Professor of Human Values,
Southern Methodist University*
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.
*Richard Rohr, OFM, author, ecumencial teacher, and founder, Center
for Action and Contemplation*
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.
*Tom Roberts, editor at large, National Catholic Reporter*
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