Faith and the Sacraments
A Commentary on the International Theological Commission's The Reciprocity of Faith and Sacraments in the Sacramental Economy: With Official Revised English Translation
by International Theological Commission
Edited by Thomas G. Weinandy
Imprint: Catholic University of America Press
In September of 2014 thirty new members were appointed for a five-year term to the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. These theologians, clerical and lay, were chosen from twenty-six different countries and from five continents. The commission was charged with composing three documents of contemporary theological importance, one of which was that of the relationship between faith and the sacraments. This finished document was published, with the approval of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and by Pope Francis in Spanish in early 2020 under the title: La Reciprocidad entre Fe y Sacramentos en la Economía Sacramental. A subsequent English translation was published thereafter under the title The Reciprocity Between Faith and Sacraments in the Sacramental Economy.
This present volume contains the text of the English translation. There follows an introduction by a member of the ITC, Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap., and subsequently followed by six explanatory and interpretive commentaries on various chapters of the document. Dr. John Yocum considers the contemporary relevance of the topic. Dr. Christopher Ruddy examines the dialogical nature of the sacramental economy of salvation. Dr. Jennifer Holmes Martin discusses the relationship between faith and the sacraments of initiation. There are two commentaries for section four concerning faith and the sacrament of marriage. Professor John Grabowski treats the strictly theological issues relating to faith and marriage. Canonist Timothy Cavanaugh takes up the canonical issues regarding faith and its relationship to enacting a valid sacramental marriage. Dr. Daniel Keating rounds off the commentaries by surveying the conclusion of the document, that is, the present need for evangelization so as to enliven the faith of the faithful, and the present relevance of the new ecclesial movements within the Church today.
These commentaries are aimed at aiding priests and seminarians as they address or prepare to address the pastoral and theological concerns they encounter or will encounter on a daily basis. This volume could also be used in parish adult education groups as well, wherein the laity could better understand the relationship between faith and the sacraments.
Thomas Weinandy, OFM, Cap., is a highly regarded theologian and scholar who has published widely in academic presses and journals.
"I am not aware of another book that treats the reciprocity of faith and the sacraments in order to address the current pastoral crisis by situating it theologically and offering specific proposals. This one fills a need because it addresses a critical question and calls attention to what the magisterium already teaches. This will be especially helpful to pastors and students of theology, liturgy, and pastoral care."
~Sr. Sara Butler, University of St. Mary of the Lake
"Anyone paying attention knows that there is a paucity of serious theological reflection and debate in the Church these days. This collection of academic reflections on the International Theological Commission’s document on the interplay between personal faith and the Sacraments could be the beginning of vitally important discussions. This volume should be taken seriously by the Church’s theological community."
~Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., Emeritus Archbishop of Philadelphia
"This collection of essays represents the first English engagement with the ITC document The Reciprocity Between Faith and Sacraments in the Sacramental Economy. It provides a wealth of reflection on the nexus between these two elements of Catholic life. For all those interested in the Trinitarian foundations of sacramentality and their pastoral dimensions, this work offers the latest theological and sociological analyses."
~Tracey Rowland, University of Notre Dame, Australia
"The book accomplishes what it set out to do, providing an aid for those engaged in pastoral ministry to more deeply consider pastoral problems through a theological lens. Indeed, the book will likely be most useful to clergy, seminarians, and lay ecclesial ministers, and its chapters could be used as supplementary texts in classes such as fundamental theology, sacramental theology, pastoral theology, or canon law. As a text for lay persons, it provides an entry point into a rich document on a critical topic that may initially be intimidating."
~Antiphon
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