Catholic Perspectives on Peace and War

This book offers a thorough and accessible analysis of Catholic teaching on war and warmaking from its earliest stages to the present. Moral theologians Thomas Massaro and Thomas A. Shannon begin with a survey of the teachings on war in various religions and denominations and then trace the development of Just War theory and application, review the perspective of several Catholic bishops, comment on the bishops' pastoral letter The Challenge of Peace, address contemporary developments in light of 9-11 and the United States war with Iraq, and conclude with theological reflections. Complete with recommended readings, Catholic Perspectives on Peace and War offers an informative and thoughtful moral analysis that helps readers navigate the rapidly changing terrain of war, warmaking, and peace initiatives.

Offers a thorough and accessible analysis of Catholic teaching on war and warmaking from its earliest stages to the present.

Thomas A. Shannon is professor of religion and social ethics at Worcester Polytechnical Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, and the author of more than twenty books in the field of ethics, particularly medical ethics. He is the editor of a series of readers in bioethics for Sheed & Ward. Thomas Massaro, S.J., is assistant professor of moral theology at Weston Jesuit School of Theology. He is the author of Catholic Social Teaching and United States Welfare Reform and Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action.