Synopsis
The Modern Catholic Encyclopedia combines a wealth of information with an attractive, easy-to-read format. It is an authoritative reference work for professionals, parishes, and families. Vatican II bequeathed to us new hopes, new dreams, new challenges; but above all, it gifted us with a fresh vision of the Church as a pilgrim people. This volume is an attempt to give a succinct and contemporary view of the beliefs, practices, and history of this people. It is edited for readers in English-speaking countries, drawn together by a common language and by shared pastoral concerns and challenges. Consequently, men and women from the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Britain have written this work for a multinational readership. Its topics and themes have been chosen to meet the inquiries and religious curiosity of people today; therefore, emphasis is given to contemporary concerns and contemporary figures. Over 1,400 cross-referenced entries cover a wide range of subjects. The Modern Catholic Encyclopedia also includes over 250 illustrations, providing valuable visual information and adding to the attractiveness of this handsome volume.
Booknews
A popular but authoritative reference providing a succinct, contemporary view of the beliefs, practices, and history of the modern Catholic Church and Catholic people, with an emphasis on the shared pastoral concerns of a multinational, English-speaking readership. It is a work of and for its time, as reflected in the great amount of attention devoted to contemporary men and women and to modern questions and problems (thus Thomas Merton receives greater attention than Thomas a Kempis, and the role of women in the Church today is treated in two lengthy entries). A 16-page glossy color section depicts the life of Jesus in sacred art from the 10th century to the present. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)