La Iglesia Catolica = the Catholic Church

Reseña del libro

En este libro extraordinario el polemico teologo Hans Kung narra la historia de la Iglesia catolica desde sus origenes en Palestina y Roma a partir de la figura de Jesucristo. Kung pasa revista al origen de las instituciones de la Iglesia, a los grandes cismas -entre Oriente y Occidente, entre catolicismo y protestantismo-, a la evolucion y del papel del Papa, a los grandes papas reformadores y a la expansion de una iglesia global. El prestigioso teologo explora la evolucion historica de concilios, obispos y cardenales, el entusiasmo misionero de la Iglesia, los origenes del culto mariano y como las convulsiones de la Reforma y la Contrarreforma se pueden aun apreciar en la Iglesia catolica de hoy dia. El libro concluye con una valoracion profunda de como la Iglesia puede afrontar los inmensos retos que le esperan en el nuevo milenio y que provienen de la ciencia, de las reivindicaciones y conquistas de los movimientos feministas, de quienes buscan una reforma a partir de las Escrituras y de la evolucion de la moral sexual. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION The Catholic Church has been nearly destroyed by its resistance to change, censured for its abuses. Pope Francis has promised reform: radical theologian Hans Kung here presents what Catholics have long been yearning for: modern responses to the challenges of a modern world. In 1962 the Second Vatican Council met in the hope they could, in the words of Pope John XXIII, 'open the windows of the Church and let some fresh air in.' Hans Kung and Joseph Ratzinger, the future pope, were both there. In Can We Save the Catholic Church? Kung relates how after fifty years the Church has only grown more conservative. Refusing to open dialogue on celibacy for priests; the role of women in the priesthood; homosexuality; or the use of contraception even to prevent AIDS, the Papacy has lost touch. Now, amid widespread disillusion over child abuse, the future of Catholicism is in crisis. Pope Francis seems sincere in his wish for a more compassionate Church. The time is ripe for reform, and here Kung calls for a complete renewal of the Church. As grassroots support grows Can We Save the Catholic Church? makes an inspiring and compelling case for offering a new Catholicism to the modern world.