Tillich at War (1914–18)

This chapter studies Tillich’s war sermons, lecture on theodicy, and correspondence with Emanuel Hirsch. Tillich’s sermons exhibit at times a crass war theology; the war must be undoubtable. But religious doubt is given a voice and a pastoral response. Perhaps most strikingly in his Christmas sermons, Tillich speaks about the loss of faith among the soldiers. He also offers an unfinished theodicy with three moments, increasingly emphasizing the weakness and suffering of God. Tillich’s sermon from late October 1917 to mark the 400th anniversary of the Reformation is a clear expression of the justification of the doubter. Tillich subsequently explains and develops this new understanding of ‘faith without God’ in correspondence with Hirsch.

Sanctuary for Asylum Seekers: Revisiting the Religious Principle and Practice of Refuge in the Church

This article argues for a reconsideration of the tradition of church sanctuary. First, I analyze the reality of Central American asylum seekers who are systematically denied protection in the United States. Second, using the earliest Christian references to sanctuary from the fourth century, I show that sanctuary was a religious and pastoral response to persecuted persons fleeing violence and death. Third, I trace the process that led to sanctuary’s disappearance from the Code of Canon Law in the late twentieth century, and argue that there is a need to reintroduce sanctuary as a religious principle and practice of the church.

Coming Up Short: The Catholic Church’s Pastoral Response to the Transgender Crisis in America

The Vatican and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have issued official responses to the phenomenon of gender diversity, as well as instructions for the education and care of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in America. However, have these authorities effectively utilized current sociological research to develop and implement contextually appropriate pastoral practices that are lifegiving and to the greatest benefit of this at-risk population? This article argues that they have not and that their recommendations have been linked to increased harm and marginalization. Utilizing Richard Osmer’s framework for practical theological interpretation, this article begins with an overview of the Magisterium’s guidance, followed by a summary of quantitative data gleaned from national surveys, population studies, and demographic analyses that reveals unique experiences of suffering and oppression. The middle sections bring in leading theories and findings from social, health, and medical fields, which illustrate TGD needs and vulnerabilities and expose the Magisterial offices’ dangerous failure to meet or even acknowledge them. The final sections call for a revised pastoral approach grounded in the concrete situations of TGD people and congruent with the Church’s commitment to love, service, and social justice. Good practice models and ethical norms are suggested for immediate incorporation into care and praxis.

Pastoral response to unemployment

Pastoral work is about assisting people to live their lives to the full. A great deal of scholarship has accumulated around the employment challenges precipitated by a variety of socio-political and economic factors. The all-encompassing challenge with which we are presented is to create and sustain a community of care, promoting hope, personal agency and self-determination to earn a living, in a life-giving environment This paper rests on the concept of “Hope in Action” as the mission of the church and examines the hermeneutics of hope and work, as mandatory for a meaningful life. The paper suggests a structure for an intervention that could be useful for those who work with young people to awaken hope, as a unique foundation, and make plans to find work so that they can earn a sustainable livelihood and live life to the full.