Commonweal Confronts the Century Liberal Convictions, Catholic Tradition

THE BEST OF THE CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITIONFor 75 years,Commonwealmagazine has sought to bring Catholic faith and modern life -- especially the experience of American freedom and diversity -- into fruitful contact. NowCommonweal Confronts the Centurynot only marks the anniversary of this distinguished journal, it also traces the ways in which the Catholic intellectual tradition has struggled with modernity, democratic institutions, and American culture while remaining faithful to its heritage.Collected here are many of the most provocative essays the journal has published by a number of the century's most distinguished writers and thinkers. Together they confront controversial issues of continuing relevance within both the Catholic Church and American society in general. In the pages ofCommonweal,liberal Catholics have carried on a dialogue about American culture and politics, the arts, religious pluralism, domestic upheaval, war and peace, liberal freedoms, and new moral and sexual sensibilities. Here is a feast of argument, observations, and good writing that will appeal to both the religiously informed and the intellectually curious. Highlights ofCommonweal Confronts the Centuryinclude:Dorothy Day on povertyGraham Greene on his religious conversionThomas Merton on nuclear warJean Bethke Elshtain on gay marriageDaniel Callahan on health care

Commonweal is an independent biweekly journal of opinion published by Catholic laypeople. For 75 years, it has been noted for its coverage of politics, religion, ethics, and the arts.