Peacebuilding: Catholic Theology, Ethics, and Praxis
A uniquely powerful and important book. Its relevance begins with the Catholic community but it reaches beyond the church to other religious traditions to the role of states and international institutions and--most powerfully--to the lives of those seeking to build the structures of peace in conflicted communities throughout the world. For the church, these essays provide rich resources, building on the Catholic social essays offer a religiously gounded theology and ethics with secular relevance precisely becuse intrastate conflict has been so pervasive in this new century. The audiences for this book are multiple; the issues it confronts are compellingly important; the message it offers will be a sign of hope and a source of wisdom. --J. Bryan Hehir, Harvard Kennedy School of GovernmentThis much-needed contribution provides a well developed theology, ethics and spirituality that willl serve as a firm foundation for effective peacebuilding programmes. it will be of value not only for Caritas and other Church agencies, but for people of goodwill around the world who, with compassion and respect for the dignity of every individual person, recognise that we are all one humanity. --Lesley-Anne Knight, Secretary General - Caritas Internationalis"The essays in this volume repeatedly return to the insight that, in a world of endemic and protracted conflict and tragic violence, peacebuilding matters. And because it has displayed the boldness of a pioneer, even to the point of engaging and confronting armed actors in many places and on many occasions, Catholic peacebuilding particularly matters. [Peacebuilding] breaks much new ground in opening up a constructive dialogue among multiple partners interested in religious contributions to peacebuilding, Because it renders such fine service in mapping a way forward to a more peaceful world, this book deserves a wide readership." --Thomas Massaro, S.J., in Practical Matters