Moral Theology for the 21st Century Essays in Celebration of Kevin T. Kelly

This book is a tribute to Kevin Kelly, who has been one of the most influential British theologians for a number of decades. On its own merits, however, it is groundbreaking collection of essays on key themes, issues and concepts in contemporary moral theology and Christian ethics. The focus is on perspectives to inform moral debate and discernment in the future. The essays share a pastoral sensibility - a concern for the person that is stronger than that the concern for doctrinal purity - that derives from Kelly himself. Kelly's conviction that the moral theologian must work with the heart of a pastor is evident throughout the book. No prior familiarity with Kelly's work is necessary to learn from these essays, but it is unlikely that many will finish the book without then reaching soon for Kelly's own work.

Bernard Hoose, Preface Julie Clague, Introduction Gerard Mannion, ‘It's Great to Be Alive' The Contributors Part One - Issues in fundamental moral theology Chapter 1: Bernard Hoose, The Way Beyond Civilisation: The Holy Spirit and Moral Theology Chapter 2: Judith Merkle, The World and Moral Theology Chapter 3: Rudolf Hein, Conscience: Dictator or Guide? - Metaethical and Biographical Reflections in the Light of a Humanist Conception of Conscience Chapter 4: Gerard J. Hughes, Applying a Moral Principle Chapter 5: Jayne Hoose, Dialogue as Tradition Chapter 6: Julie Clague, Moral Theology and Doctrinal Change Chapter 7: Enda MacDonagh, The Good News in Moral Theology: Of Hospitality, Healing and Hope Part Two - Issues in medical and sexual ethics Chapter 8: Jacqui A. Stewart, Embryo, Person and Pregnancy: A New Look at the Beginning of Life Chapter 9: Jan Jans, The Moral Status of the Human Embryo according to Donum Vitae: Analysis of and Comment on Key Passages Chapter 10: Jack Mahoney, On a Human Right to Die Chapter 11: Joseph Selling, Contraception and Sin Chapter 12: Todd Salzman and Michael Lawler, Deconstructing and Reconstructing Complementarity as a Foundational Sexual Principle in Catholic Sexual Ethics: The (Im)Morality of Homosexual Acts Chapter 13: Barry McMillan, Dissecting the Discourse: Homosexuality and Same-Sex Unions Part Three - Issues in social and political ethics Chapter 14: Suzanne Mulligan, ‘A Strange Sort of Freedom': HIV/AIDS and Moral Agency Chapter 15: Celia Deane-Drummond, Animal Ethics: Where Do We Go From Here? Chapter 16: Patrick Hannon, Gott's Law: Thou Shalt Not Blaspheme Chapter 17: Linda Hogan, Same-Sex Relationships and the Common Good: A Theological Comment Part Four - Issues in ecclesiology Chapter 18: Ladislas Örsy, Has Ecumenism a Future? Chapter 19: Steven Shakespeare, The Paradox of the Inclusive Church. Can Ecclesiology Live With Questions? Chapter 20: James Keenan, Church Leadership, Ethics, and the Moral Rights of Priests Chapter 21: Peter Harvey, Kevin Kelly: Establishment Man? Chapter 22: Tina Beattie, From Rosaries to Rights - Towards an Integrated Catholicism Part Five - Kevin Kelly and the interface of moral and pastoral theology Chapter 23: Gerard Mannion, Compassion as the Fundamental Basis of Morality Chapter 24: John Elford, Kevin Kelly: Priest and Moral Theologian Chapter 25: John Battle MP, Kevin Kelly and Political Humility Chapter 26: Charles Curran, Kevin T. Kelly and the Role of the Pastoral Moral Theologian Chapter 27: Kevin T. Kelly, The Role of Personal Story in the Teaching of Moral Theology Bibliography of Kevin T. Kelly