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MODERN MORAL PROBLEMS: Trustworthy Answers to Tough Questions, William B Smith

Reviewed by Michael E. Daniel

Contents - Mar 2015 - Buy a copy now Editorial: AD2000 to be available online only - Peter Westmore Synod: AFA calls for Synod to strengthen support for families - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Rediscovering the spiritual dimension in modern psychology - Wanda Skowronska Liturgy and mystery in the Mass - Audrey English Challenging radical Islam - John A. Azumah The parish priest and parish school - Fr John O'Neill The linen cloth and the Second Coming - Andrew Sholl The person and mission of St Joseph - Pope St John Paul Seventh iWitness Retreat: another youth ministry success - Br Barry Coldrey Apps: Smartphone apps to bring you closer to God - Peter Westmore NACF: National Catholic Families Conference attracts 400 to Albury - Kathleen Horsfall and Marie-Louise Fowler Letters: Persecution in China - Christopher Rule Letters: Abortion - Brian Coman Letters: Mary's knowledge - Carmel Ford Letters: Anne Lastman replies ... - Anne Lastman Letters: Synod of Bishops - John R. Barich Books: MODERN MORAL PROBLEMS: Trustworthy Answers to Tough Questions, William B Smith - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: NOT ALL NUNS MAY DO THIS, by Erika Lorenz - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Hail Mary, Full of Grace - Anne Lastman

"Trustworthy answers" to difficult moral questions

MODERN MORAL PROBLEMS:
Trustworthy Answers to Your Tough Questions
by Msgr William B Smith, ed. Fr Donald Haggerty
(Ignatius Press, 2012, 322pp, $39.90, ISBN: 9781586176341)

Recent decades have witnessed dissent from church teachings, and in many instances, inadequate catechesis that has led to confusion about moral teachings.

At the same time, there have been significant medical and technological developments that have posed new ethical questions.

Noted American moral theologian Msgr William B. Smith responds to these in Modern Moral Problems.

This volume is an anthology of answers to various questions posed by readers that were originally published in Homiletic and Pastoral Review, a magazine noted for its defence of the Church's teachings.

Msgr Smith does not avoid or shy away either from tackling difficult questions. Much of this volume deals with what have become contentious issues, such as euthanasia, exploitation of human embryos, birth control and homosexuality.

He also looks at the whole question of dissent from Church teachings.

However, other issues such as theft and fraud and the just war are also dealt with. In relation to the issue of theft, Msgr Smith makes the observation that a focus on social justice issues to the exclusion of other aspects of the Church's moral teachings has led to doubts amongst the faithful in matters such as theft.

Although this anthology was published in 2012, many of the responses were first published in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Thus, although the answers remain relevant, some of the current 'burning' or 'hot' issues, such as same sex marriage, do not receive extensive treatment. However, the answers are well-written and clearly articulated.

Occasionally, the author's dry sense of humour comes to the fore. For example, when writing about a group called "Catholics for Free Choice" (sic) who support legalised abortion, Smith states, "That group has as much to do with Catholicism as science fiction has to do with science." (p. 188)

As the explanations were originally published in Homiletic and Pastoral Review, the writer presumes that his readers have undertaken some ethical and theological training.

In some of the answers he refers readers to standard works by moral theologians rather than giving a de-tailed explanation, working on the presumption that his audience would have ready access to these works.

Thus, while this is a good work for seminarians and priests, it would also be of benefit for lay people, particularly those engaged in education or various types of pastoral work.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 28 No 2 (March 2015), p. 18