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THIS IS THE E-VERSION OF MORAL VISION.  UPDATED PRINT VERSION COMING SOON!!

In the last half century, contemporary Catholic moral theology has developed at a rapid pace. Franciscan scholars have played a major part in this renewal of contemporary moral theology. Yet, these moral insights from the Franciscan tradition have, to a great extent, been overlooked by the English speaking world since many of the works have not been available in English. The authors of this volume of essays hope that this contribution on the Franciscan moral vision will help to broaden the conversation regarding moral theology and continue the work already accomplished by the many authors working in non-English languages. Scholar contributors to this volume of essays include Joseph Chinnici, Kenan Osborne, Thomas Shannon, Thomas Nairn and Mary Beth Ingham.

For too long the Franciscan contribution to the personalist, relational turn in renewing moral theology has been largely overlooked in the English speaking world. With this volume, however, we now have access to an understanding of the moral life rooted in the spiritual experience of divine love in the life of St. Francis and in the subsequent reflection of the Franciscan tradition on God’s graciously gifting us with creation, the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit, and the dignity of each person. This collection, as is the Franciscan moral vision itself, is a fine example of the inseparability of morality and spirituality.

The Franciscan moral vision is an aesthetic vision whereby living morally is the act of reflecting the beauty, graciousness, and generosity of the Triune God. Such an approach to the moral life stands in contrast to the more familiar stance emphasizing divine judgment, human fallenness, sin, and the law. 

A great service of these essays is to draw out the implications of “generosity in action” not only for personal discernment, but also for social justice, ecology, and economics. By moving from vision to practice, these essays participate in the spirit of Francis to be a prophetic voice calling us to live in self-giving relationships of mutuality with one another and, indeed, with all of creation.

- Richard M. Gula, S.S., Director of Personnel for the Society of St. Sulpice, Baltimore, MD.  His writings include The Good Life:  Where Morality and Spirituality Meet (1999) and Moral Discernment:  Moral Decision Guide (1997).

eISBN: 978-1-57659-209-0