Orbis Books Knihy

The challenging voice of a modern prophet."When I feed the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why so many people are poor they call me a communist."--Dom Helder CamaraDom Helder Camara (1909-1999) was one of the great prophets of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century. As Archbishop of Recife, Brazil, he gained an international reputation as a champion of human rights during the era of military dictatorship and as a dedicated champion for the poor. Banned from the media in his own country, he toured the world denouncing oppression in the Third World and drawing links between the gospel and liberation. And yet his stern call to justice was inflected with a joy-filled, mystical love of God and creation that brought to mind the image of St. Francis.These selections from his many books highlight Dom Helders distinctive blend of spirituality and social vision. They point toward the renewal of the church, the transformation of the social order, and the healing of a wounded planet.Francis McDonagh, who lives in London, has spent the last twenty years following development and religious issues in Latin America, including three years living in Recife, Brazil, as a correspondent for The Tablet. He currently manages the Andes program of CAFOD, the British Catholic development agency.

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was one of the preeminent religious figures of the nineteen century, whose influence today is broad and ongoing. A leading Anglican churchman, he created a stir when he converted to Catholicism and was ordained as a priest. His critical mind and openness to the modern world put him at odds with the starkly reactionary spirit of the church in his day, and he faced carping criticism throughout his life. Newman wrote about the development of doctrine and the function of a Catholic university, he championed the rights of conscience, the role of the laity, and the role of intuition in the life of faith. Though ahead of his time in many ways, he was named a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII, and his influence helped shape the church of the twentieth century. Pope Paul VI called Vatican II "Newman's Council." In 2010 he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. This anthology traces his spiritual journey in tandem with the principal events of his life.

Walter Kasper, a German bishop and theologian, has long been regarded as a vital expositor of the gospel and one of the leading voices of church renewal and reform. Named a cardinal in 2001, Kasper served as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and represented the Church in advancing Jewish-Christian relations. He assumed an especially important role under Pope Francis, who publicly endorsed Kasper's book on Mercy, thus signaling a principle theme of his papacy. This volume reflects the major themes of Kasper's long career. Given the breadth of his work, the selections here on God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Ecumenism, and Christian Hope, represent a veritable introduction to the Christian faith. (Publisher)

"Do you wish you had a better understanding of the issues and questions African Christians face as they seek to live out their faith in their cultural context? Do you wonder how Africans themselves frame these questions and their answers? Would you like access to actual research that can confirm your own experience or bring new information to your attention that would deepen and broaden your understanding? This unique book, the product of a multiyear study and survey sponsored by the Tyndale House Foundation, offers insights into all these questions and more. Featuring input from over 8,000 African survey participants and 57 in-depth interviews, it provides invaluable insight and concise analysis of the dynamics of the development of African Christian leaders today"--

For many people of faith, the election of Donald Trump represents not just a political crisis -- a threat to our republic and a danger for the entire world -- but also a confessional crisis, a moment that calls into question the deepest meaning of our religious claims and values. Reflections by notable religious scholars, ministers, and activists address this crisis. With chapters treating issues of gender, race, disability, LGBT justice, immigration, the environment, peace, and poverty, the contributors seek to name our situation and to set forth an agenda for faith and resistance.