Catholic History for Today's Church

We cant understand the issues swirling in todays Catholic church without understanding the past. In Catholic History for Todays Church acclaimed historian John W. OMalley, SJ, illuminates some of todays most contentious issuesfrom celibacy to the role of the popethrough their history. In his characteristically engaging style, OMalleys essays provide readers with an overview of each theme in history then explore how that past connects with life today. Many of the essays highlight his expertise on the papacy and the papal curia, as well as the significance and legacies of the Council of Trent and Vatican II. By taking a historical approach, OMalley shows how contemporary issues arose, assesses where they are today, and suggests how they might be changed for the better. Catholic History for Todays Church takes an invaluable long view on topics that too often find us shortsighted.